Report: Arsenal have identified an alternative to Kieran Tierney

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Arsenal’s pursuit of Kieran Tierney could well prove to be out of their reach but reports suggest the Gunners have identified a perfect alternative.

According to a report from the Express, Arsenal have identified AC Milan’s Swiss full-back Ricardo Rodriguez as an alternative to Kieran Tierney this summer.

Celtic are reportedly adamant on their £25 million price tag for Tierney, which has left the Gunners unhappy. Arsenal allegedly have just £40 million to spend in the entire transfer window that will hamper the pursuit of most of their targets in this inflated transfer window.

Tierney would definitely be the first-choice for Arsenal but, with financial constraints, they might have to look elsewhere and Milan’s Ricardo Rodriguez could be a brilliant alternative. The Swiss international is hugely experienced having played 400 times for club and country so far in his career.

Rodriguez is a proven commodity in Europe and the Swiss international would slot in quite comfortably as a left wing-back and also in his natural full-back position.

The former Wolfsburg man will provide a much better balance between attack and defence than Arsenal’s current set of left-sided full-backs and, at just £14 million, he could turn out to be one of the bargains of the summer.

The 26-year-old possesses a fantastic left-foot and is a specialist in dead-ball situations. Rodriguez has scored eight direct free-kicks so far in his club career and the Swissman also boats of an impressive conversion rate through indirect free-kicks and corners.

Rodriguez’s crossing has been one of the best from a full-back over the last few years and this could prove to be a lethal weapon for the Gunners who will have the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette waiting to get on the end of those crosses.

At 26, a move to the Premier League is the next big step that Rodriguez needs to take in his career and he could be guaranteed regular game time at Arsenal if he hit the ground running.

Rodriguez would be an ideal alternative to Tierney for the Gunners and they should move for him if the Scotsman proves too expensive this summer.