Arsenal transfer news: Ricardo Rodriguez admits linking up with teammate Granit Xhaka at Emirates will be exciting

Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez has admitted that it would be exciting to join his compatriot Granit Xhaka at Arsenal next season as they prepare for the European Championships starting in France on 10 June. The latter arrived at the Emirates Stadium this summer becoming Arsene Wenger's first summer transfer.

The 23-year-old Swiss defender has been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga club this season, with German publication Kicker suggesting that the north London club are ready to activate his €25m (£19m, $28m) release clause to bring him to England. The report states that the defender's potential transfer was initiated by Arsenal's academy chief Andreas Jonker, who has prior experience working with Rodriguez during his time at Wolfsburg.

The Switzerland international shares a room with Xhaka during their travels with the national team and was asked about teaming up at club level next season. Rodriguez admits that it is an exciting prospect as he would get to share a room with his compatriot in England too.

"That would be exciting, yes, especially because the room arrangement at Arsenal would be fixed as well," Rodriguez said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

The Wolfsburg defender has admitted that he could leave the club in the summer after they failed to qualify for the Champions League following their eighth place finish in the Bundesliga. He is likely to have a long list of suitors following yet another impressive campaign. According to the Independent, Manchester United have also shown interest in signing the defender, but with Luke Shaw returning to fitness and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson being handed a new contract, they are unlikely to pursue him this summer.

Arsenal also have Kieran Gibbs as current first choice Nacho Monreal's understudy and Rodriguez's arrival is likely to put the England international's future in doubt. He has fallen out of favour this season, making just three starts in the Premier League, which has resulted in his omission from the England team as well. This could prompt him to look for a move elsewhere to play regular football, which could open the door for the Gunners to make a move for Rodriguez.