Arsenal have made another enquiry for Guido Rodriguez after Real Betis rejected a formal offer earlier this year, according to a report.

ESP: Cadiz CF-Real Betis. La Liga Santander. Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis during the La Liga match between Cadiz CF and Real Betis played at Ramon de Carranza Stadium on February 28, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain. kpng Copyright: PRESSINPHOTO
Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis during the La Liga match between Cadiz CF and Real Betis played at Ramon de Carranza Stadium on February 28, 2021, in Cadiz, Spain. Copyright: PRESSINPHOTO

Sevilla-based journalist Alejandro Gonzalez of Onda Betica reports that Arsenal have again asked about Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis.

Betis reportedly already rejected a formal offer a few months ago, that they considered to be insufficient.

Gonzalez adds that Arsenal want Rodriguez now, rather than waiting for the summer window.

Over the summer, Di Marzio reported that after winning the Copa America with Argentina this summer, Rodriguez could be set to leave Real Betis. He was attracting interest from Arsenal, and Betis were asking for €30m (£25.7m).

Nothing came of the rumour at the time, perhaps due to the differences in valuation of the player.

But if Arsenal are still making enquiries, they could be set to make a renewed bid in the January window. We know the two clubs have at least some kind of relationship, with Hector Bellerin joining Betis on loan this season.

Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis in action during the spanish league, La Liga, football match played between Real Madrid and Real Betis at Ciudad Deportiva Real Madrid on April 24, 2021, in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain. Photo by Oscar J Barroso/Shutterstock
Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis in action during the Spanish league, La Liga, football match played between Real Madrid and Real Betis at Ciudad Deportiva Real Madrid on April 24, 2021, in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain. Photo by Oscar J Barroso/Shutterstock

Rodriguez is an excellent defensive midfielder, excelling in stats for pressures, tackles, aerial duels, blocks, clearances, and interceptions.

He was a regular feature in the Argentina side that won Copa America, making six appearances and four starts. Now he’s helped Betis up to third in La Liga.

He’s certainly more defensively focused than most of Arsenal’s current midfielders, but perhaps that’s the idea, to free some of the others up to get forward more.

The 27-year-old would at least fill a gap in the Arsenal team on a short-term basis, given Thomas Partey’s imminent departure to AFCON.