Arsenal have been keeping close tabs on Rodrigo Mendoza and are reportedly mulling over a bid to sign the Elche midfielder.
Mendoza, 20, enjoyed an attention grabbing season with Elche last season, starring from midfield to assist his boyhood club secure promotion back to La Liga following a two-year absence.
And Mendoza has picked up where he left off this term, producing a string of mature performances within the Spanish top flight despite his tender years, with Elche sitting tenth within the table.
But Mendoza’s excellent form has begun to draw the attentions of top teams from across European football and speculation is mounting that the Spaniard could soon be set for greater and higher things.
In keeping with The Telegraph, Arsenal’s recruitment team are closely monitoring Mendoza’s development and have been placed on red alert by the teen’s form in recent weeks and months.
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The Gunners know they’ll face ‘intense’ competition within the race to sign Mendoza, though, as sides from Italy and Spain, including Real Madrid, circle for the promising playmaker.
Mendoza, whose playing style has been likened to Barcelona superstar Rodri within the Spanish media, has a €20m (£17.5m) release clause in his contract at Elche.
The report claims that while Mendoza is ‘more likely’ to maneuver on from Elche next summer, there may be the likelihood that he may very well be sold in January if an interested party triggers his buyout clause.
Mendoza’s current deal in Alicante runs through to June 2028.
Widely tipped for a giant future with the Spanish national team, Mendoza has represented his country at youth level from the Under-17s throughout to the Under-21s.
Before his side’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid on the weekend, Elche manager Eder Sarabia was quizzed on the rumours linking Mendoza with a move to the Bernabeu.
In response, Sarabia played down the speculation, stressing that Mendoza remained fully focussed on footballing matters and it will take ‘a variety of money’ to prise the teen away from Elche.
‘Before Spain’s U21 team faced Romania, he texted me and said he was doing thoroughly,’ Sarabia told reporters.
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‘The matches haven’t been particularly demanding and he desired to be here from the moment the training camp ended.
‘We’re delighted that he continues to develop with the national team, where he’s adding to his skills and is surrounded by incredible players in a fantastic atmosphere.
From there, his return and integration will likely be natural. He’ll be at 100 per cent to face Real Madrid.
‘Regarding the rumours, he in a great position and surrounded by good people.
‘If anyone wants Rodrigo, they need to pay a variety of money, and we’ll see if he leaves or not.’
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