Italian side Napoli have reportedly joined the race to sign Benfica star Rodrigo, who is also on the radar of fellow Serie A rivals Inter Milan and Fiorentina.
The 20-year-old has become hot property in Portugal after showcasing his goal scoring instincts this term. Although never a first choice starter before this, Rodrigo has managed to catch the eye of manager Jorge Jesus after impressing during his loan stint
with Bolton Wanderers.
Jesus called the forward back to Estadio da Luz despite offers from the Trotters and it has proven to be a masterstroke. The former Real Madrid man has cemented his place in the team with a string of scintillating performances and his proficiency in front
of goal has limited Oscar Cardozo to cameos from the bench.
Rodrigo has managed to find the back of the net 12 times in only 20 appearances for the Eagles and has seemingly attracted the attention of major European clubs in the process.
English Premier League giants Arsenal are rumoured to be one of the bigger sides on his trail, with Arsene Wenger looking to complete a swoop in the summer.
The Londoners only boast Robin van Persie as true out and out front-man and without the mercurial Dutch man; the team just do not have the same decisiveness in attack. In order to lower the goal scoring pressure on the skipper and add some much needed depth
to the squad, Wenger has been monitoring the progress of Rodrigo.
After the player showed his quality with Benfica, it seems that the Gunners will allegedly move in with a big money proposal but they face stiff competition from a plethora of Serie A teams.
Inter Milan and Fiorentina are already linked with the Spanish International and now it seems as if Napoli have also caught up in the act.
The Blues are seventh in the league standings but that is not a true reflections of the talents at Stadio San Paolo. Led by Edinson Cavani, Walter Mazzari’s men are not short of options at the moment, but it is likely that they will be in the summer.
The 24-year-old Uruguayan has been linked with the cream of the continent and is likely to depart for greener pastures once the transfer window opens and he is no longer cup tied.
With his exit, Napoli would need a top quality replacement to play alongside the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamšík and it seems like their preferred target is Rodrigo.
The Spaniard will also be willing to make the switch to Italy but it remains to be seen whether Benfica allow him to do so.
Jorge Jesus’ men are relying heavily on the La Roja International at the moment and even if a transfer were to materialize, they would demand top-dollar for their prized asset, who is on course to becoming one of the best attackers in Europe.