Arsenal are one of several European top flight sides closely tracking Elche starlet Rodrigo Mendoza, according to reports from Spanish outlet Informacion.
Twenty-year-old midfielder Mendoza, capable of playing in central midfield and on the right, is not short of suitors following his breakthrough in La Liga, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Juventus and the Gunners reportedly circling for his signature.
Mendoza already has two goals to his name from ten outings so far this season, with his performances and potential to develop seeing Mikel Arteta's side take serious notice of the Spaniard ahead of the January transfer window.
Amid the growing interest in Mendoza's signature, Arsenal have flexed their intent on signing the youngster by sending scouts to watch the Spanish youth international live this season.
Arsenal Send Scouts to Watch Spanish Starlet Mendoza
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts vs Burnley
The Spanish outlet further outlines that clubs in the Premier League have been following the in-demand midfielder since the start of the season, and that Arsenal are "one of the regular clubs with scouts at the Martínez Valero stadium" to monitor Mendoza's development.
Last summer, Elche awarded the academy graduate those improved terms after turning down lucrative advances from Al-Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League, whose sporting director Ramon Planes held a similar position at Mendoza's club between 2016 and 2017.
Given that the Spanish starlet reportedly has a £17.6m release clause in his current Elche deal, which expires in 2028, the financial aspects of the deal would seemingly prove feasible for the current Premier League leaders.
Key statistic Rodrigo Mendoza for Elche
Games played 61
Goals 6
Assists 2
Unfortunately for Arteta, Arsenal are not the only attractive European party interested in the rising La Liga talent, with Italian outlet TuttoSport reporting recently that Serie A giants Juventus are equally keen on Mendoza, alongside Pep Guardiola's side and Real Madrid.
Juventus are not the only Italian side interested in Mendoza, with reports adding that Como, managed by former Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas, wish to attract his compatriot to the seventh-placed Serie A side.
Interest in Mendoza from the European footballing elite is no surprise, considering that he helped Elche to promotion to the Spanish top flight last term, in his second full senior season with the club after being promoted from their academy.
Arsenal are well stocked in their midfield ranks, especially after adding Mendoza's fellow Spaniard Martin Zubimendi to their squad in the summer, who has proven to be one of the Premier League's best 11 signings of the summer so far this season.
If Arteta's side can win the race for Mendoza's signature at the expense of their fellow suitors, the highly-rated Elche starlet could prove to be another impressive Spanish acquisition for Arsenal.