AC Milan take big step to securing services of Bundesliga star

AC Milan have reached a verbal agreement with Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, according to Sky Italia.

The 24-year old has been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga for some time now amidst interest from both Serie A and the Premier League. The likes of Arsenal had been tracking his progress for some time but reports suggest Milan have made a big step to the front of the queue.

The Rossoneri still have to agree a price with Wolfsburg, who are believed to be holding out for the Swiss international’s release clause of €22.5m.

Rodriguez shot to prominence in the 2013/14 season ahead of the World Cup and impressed in Brazil to draw admiring glances from some of the biggest clubs on the continent.

His form in the last two seasons has dipped, however, and he’s been fielded on the left of a back three for much of this campaign in the Bundesliga with very little success. Milan will no doubt have identified Rodriguez for a left-back berth, where his rating for Wolfsburg is up at a respectable 7.00 from a disappointing 6.61 in 16 league starts at centre-back.