Ricardo Rodriguez tells Wolfsburg he wants to leave Bundesliga club following Arsenal rumours

Ricardo Rodriguez wants to leave Wolfsburg, according to the club's sporting director Klaus Allofs. The Swiss left-back is a reported transfer target for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal and has already told his current club of his desire to move this summer.

Rodriguez, 23, is one of the highest-rated youngsters in European football and has made 157 appearances for Wolfsburg since 2010. Allofs admitted the left-back plans to leave the Bundesliga side in the coming months, but he refused to confirm or deny if Arsenal are close to signing him.

"As we have recently gathered, it was clear. His idea is to leave us," he told Blick amid Arsenal's reported interest in Rodriguez, who is said to have a £19m ($27.3m) release clause.

The Gunners have already signed Rodriguez's international teammate Granit Xhaka, who is another of Europe's top young prospects. Xhaka said Wenger played a special role in him agreeing to join Arsenal and snubbing rival offers.

"It was madness, he's a legend for me," Xhaka said, according to Bild. "He suddenly is on the mobile and wants me. I will never forget his first sentence. He said: 'If you want to enjoy football, you have to join us. Here is the paradise.'

"He has an incredibly calm but convincing manner. It makes me proud to work under such a coach."