Arsenal target continues to impress in the ranks at Real Madrid

By Richard Thorburn
Updated: 20 March, 2012

RealMadrid.com

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid youngster José Rodríguez during the summer and reports in England suggested Arsene Wenger had struck a deal with the Spanish club to bring the 17-year-old midfielder to the Emirates Stadium.

Both the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror claimed Arsenal had won the race to sign Rodriguez and would soon bring him to North London to link up with fellow Spaniards Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin who had also recently arrived at the Emirates from Barcelona.

Rodríguez remained in Madrid however, and has gone on to put in a string of impressive performances for Real Madrid Juvenil B this season.

Very much considered a ‘star of the future’ Rodríquez is a powerful player who has shone in the club’s youth ranks.

He may have yet to make his debut for Real Madrid in a competitive fixture, but mention his name around Valdebebas and you will receive only glowing praise – the boy is good. They know he has the potential to be very, very good in fact, with it being a matter of when – and not if – Rodríguez will make the step up.

Hard-working, technically gifted and comfortable on the ball, Rodríguez has become an integral part of the both the Juvenil B team and Spain’s under-17 squad coached by Santiago Denia. His impressive form again this term has led to reports that Arsenal are again ready to attempt to prise him away from Madrid during the summer.

However reports have also appeared in recent weeks linking the midfielder with a switch to another English club, Manchester United, with The Sun claiming Sir Alex Ferguson wants to bring him into the youth set-up at Old Trafford.

The Alicante-born youngster is currently attracting interest from some of the biggest names in European football and it is clear Rodríguez has a promising career ahead of him. Whether that is in Spain or elsewhere, only time will tell.