Rodrigo hasn't been at his best this season with Valencia (Getty Images)
According to The Mirror, Arsenal have made an inquiry over a potential move for Valencia star Rodrigo Moreno ahead of the summer.
Rodrigo, 29, came through Celta Vigo’s youth system and also played for Real Madrid’s Castilla side before joining Benfica in 2010. After starring for the Portuguese outfit, Valencia signed him in 2015. And since then, he has been a regular member of the squad.
Though he was impressive in the last two seasons, earning a recall to the Spanish national team, he has not been at his best this term. The Spaniard looks to have slowed down and thus, Arsenal should not look to sign him in the summer if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moves on.
The Gunners have regrouped in the latter stages of the campaign and are currently unbeaten in the league since the turn of the New Year. Mikel Arteta has managed to lift the team’s spirit since his arrival and had taken them to 9th position in the league standings.
Club captain Aubameyang has been sensational for the Gunners since he arrived two summers back. He has led the team brilliantly with 17 goals this term and is the league’s joint-highest scorer. However, with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, he may be wanting to leave this summer, as per the report.
Apart from the Gabonese international, the Gunners have Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah to lead their attack. While the Frenchman has not been at his best, the youngsters have shown promising signs.
However, Arsenal would want to add depth to their attacking unit if Aubameyang moves on. In that case, they should not look to sign Valencia’s Rodrigo.
Rodrigo has been brilliant for the Spanish outfit but not on a regular basis as the Arsenal forward has been. The former Benfica man scored 16 goals in the 2017/18 season and followed it with 8 goals last term. He has just 2 to his name in the ongoing campaign.
He had enjoyed a successive spell in Portugal but has not been able to repeat it at the Mestalla Stadium. The Gunners need to recruit someone who can get them 15 goals every season. Whereas, Rodrigo has achieved that feat only once in his career. Thus, the Spaniard should not be an option for the manager.
First and foremost, Arsenal should do everything possible to keep hold of the former Borussia Dortmund man if they are to do better next season. However, if they lose him, the Gunners should look for other options instead of making a move for Rodrigo.
