Arsenal keen on Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza | OneFootball

Arsenal are closely keeping tabs on Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza ahead of a possible move, according to the Telegraph.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admires him and the Emirates Stadium club have had their recruitment specialists track the progress of the 20-year-old Spain youth international for a while as they look to keep strengthening their options.

However, the Gunners are not the only ones keen on Mendoza and will face competition from Real Madrid if they want him at the North London club.

It is unknown whether Arsenal plan to move for the Spaniard in January, and while a summer deal is more likely, a winter transfer window exit cannot be completely ruled out.

Mendoza is a creative midfielder who has been compared to Barcelona playmaker Pedri, and Arteta and his coaches love his qualities and style of play.

He has a release clause of €20 million (£17.5m) and will become the most expensive sale in Elche’s history if any of his suitors trigger his release clause in January or next summer.

The talented attacker has played ten games across all competitions for the La Liga club this term, weighing in with two goals, and he can play on the left wing and behind the striker despite primarily being a central midfielder.

Mendoza played a huge role in helping his club secure promotion from the Spanish second division at the end of last term, and Madrid are long-term admirers.

He has represented Spain at under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels and has been tipped to become a star for the senior side soon.

Arsenal see him as one for the future, but whether they can convince him to join them remains to be seen given the plethora of attacking options currently available to Arteta.

Clubs from the Serie A are also monitoring Mendoza and a move where he can keep playing regularly to continue his development would appeal to him.