Arsenal are being encouraged in their pursuit of Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.

Real Betis need to sell this summer to balance the books, while former club River Plate would also be due a percentage of Rodriguez's fee.

The Argentine has played mainly as a defensive midfielder under Manuel Pellegrini, though has also scored two goals.

The Gunners currently have Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Dani Ceballos as defensive midfield options.

But Partey has suffered with injuries and Ceballos is returning to Real Madrid at the end of the campaign.

Estadio Deportivo says Rodriguez's first club River Plate are keeping a close eye on the situation.

The Argentine giants still own the training rights to Rodriguez and so will be entitled to a portion of any transfer fee that Betis are able to bring in.

That transfer fee is set to be a sizeable one, with Rodriguez's release clause an eye-watering £69.5million.

Estadio do claim though that Betis' financial problems will see them forced into selling one of their star players in the summer.

Rodriguez's performances this campaign means he is one of those stars at risk of departing the Benito Villamarín Stadium.

It is also stated that the Gunners are one of the clubs to have “shown the most interest" and are expected to make a move this summer.