Arsenal ready transfer ‘assault’ for sensation with £18m release clause, Man City lurking
Arsenal and Manchester City are preparing to go head-to-head to try and secure the signature of one of Spain’s brightest young prospects.
The Premier League duo have become strong rivals during their title challenges in recent years, and their ongoing battle looks set to continue in the transfer market this winter.
Football Insider recently revealed that Arsenal will not rush into the transfer market in January, despite the recent injuries to Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori.
However, that doesn’t look like it will prevent them from targeting potential stars of the future to add to their ranks during the mid-season window.
Mikel Arteta and City boss Pep Guardiola have a strong relationship with each other away from football, but they are now ready to do battle against each other in January.
Arsenal and Man City in transfer race for Rodrigo Mendoza
Football Insider revealed that Arsenal are likely to accept an offer for Gabriel Jesus in January after his recent return from injury, and there is also plenty of scope for players to move in the other direction at the Emirates Stadium.
One such star who could potentially complete a move to North London this winter is the Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza.
Both Arsenal and their Premier League rivals Manchester City are preparing to launch a transfer “assault” for the 20-year-old in January, according to Italian newspaper Il Messagero.
The starlet is being tracked by Juventus with a view to a move, while Real Madrid and Al-Ittihad have also been put forward as potential suitors.
Mendoza is under contract with Elche until the summer of 2028, but his current deal contains a release clause that stands in the region of £17.6million.
The midfielder has caught the eye for his time after their promotion to La Liga last term, and it is understood that they could even entertain a sale for less than his current release clause.
Rodrigo Mendoza was compared to Pedri in October
Martin Odegaard has been linked with a shock exit at Arsenal in January, which makes the latest links with a young, up-and-coming star in the midfield relatively unsurprising.
Mendoza has already represented Spain at U21 level, and his performances during the October international break even prompted Spanish outlet AS to compare him to the Barcelona megastar Pedri, due to his influential style in the midfield.
That assessment of his ability is reflected by Il Messagero, who have branded the youngster as a “special player.”
Given the rave reviews that have emerged regarding Mendoza and his potential in recent months, Arteta and Co. will surely be desperate to beat their counterparts to a deal.