Arsenal are tracking a young Spanish star who has been likened to Barcelona sensation Pedri as the Gunners look to future proof their midfield, reports FourFourTwo.
The north London side invested heavily in the squad over the summer, with Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Eberechi Eze all making the move the Emirates.
The trio have settled well enough, with Zubimendi and Eze in particular both key as Arsenal sit top of the Premier League, four points clear of second-placed Manchester City and eight above defending champions Liverpool.
However, there are question marks over the club’s creativity in the absence of Martin Odegaard, who has endured a stop-start opening few months to the season.
Arsenal step up chase for midfielder to ease Odegaard burden
As such, Mikel Arteta has identified Elche star Rodrigo Mendoza as a potential addition to ease the burden on the Arsenal captain.
Mendoza signed a new long-term contract with Elche over the summer, but the deal includes an affordable €20m release clause.
Arsenal aren’t the only European powerhouse to have shown an interest in the 20-year-old.
Premier League rivals Manchester City, La Liga leaders Real Madrid and Serie A giants Juventus are all reportedly monitoring the young Spaniard, whose style of play has been likened to Barcelona star Pedri by the player himself.
Mendoza has featured sporadically for Elche this season, starting five of 12 league matches, while making a further four outings from the bench.
Elche face tough return to domestic duties
The Spanish side sit 11th in La Liga following a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad ahead of the international break.
And they’ll be hoping to end a five-game winless run when they welcome league leaders Real Madrid to the Estadio Martinez Valero this weekend.
Arsenal, meanwhile, face a tough end to November as they gear up for a home meeting with north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
The Gunners then face Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League before a trip across the capital to face rivals Chelsea to see out the month.
