Sources: Andrea Berta leading Arsenal’s pursuit of ‘£17m’ star
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Beta is leading their pursuit of Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza ahead of the January transfer window.
Berta is very well-connected in Spanish football after his time at Atletico Madrid, and also played a key role in the additions of Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs keeping tabs on Mendoza, who has impressed for Elche so far this season and has a release clause in his contract worth around £17million.
Man City are also reportedly interested in Mendoza, with no lack of interest in the young Spaniard, while Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on his situation.
His release clause is seen as a bargain price for the Gunners should the opt to step up their interest, but nothing is advanced as things stand.
Andrea Berta pushing Arsenal to sign Rodrigo Mendoza
Football Insider first revealed in March that Berta could utilise the Spanish market with Arsenal, having been credited with signing the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Rodri.
Key additions since his arrival at the Emirates have seen the sporting director widely praised for his work, but the January transfer window will provide a new test.
While Mendoza is not expected to be pursued in the mid-season window, and instead a target for the summer, Berta is leading the charge for his arrival.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, it’s been a successful avenue for Arsenal in recent transfer windows, bringing in players from Spain.
“Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, and Mosquera, have come in to Arsenal in recent windows as well.
“Obviously, Andrea Berta, the sporting director, knows all about Spanish football from his time in Atletico Madrid, so he’ll be well connected as well.
“Mendoza is a very highly rated young player having a good season for Elche in La Liga, so no surprise that Arsenal and other clubs are keeping tabs on the situation.
“I think that’s what it is right now. I think they’re keeping tabs on him. I don’t think it’s anything firm or concrete that they’re going to make a move for him.
“He has got a release clause in his contract for £17million which is relatively cheap so again that would pique the interest of a lot of clubs.
“Real Madrid have been linked with a possible move for him as well but he’s a young player with huge potential so it’s no surprise that Arsenal and other top clubs are looking at him but I don’t think it’d be a priority for Arsenal to try and bring in Mendoza in January.
“I think it’s one that they will continue to keep tabs on and maybe come the summer it’s something that they might firm up in the Spain under-21 international.“
Arsenal set sights on busy January transfer window
Mendoza is not the only player on the Gunners’ radar ahead of the January transfer window, as Arteta is eyeing further improvements to his squad.
Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League as things stand, and they are determined to live up to those expectations as they aim to strengthen in the window.
Football Insider revealed on 22 November that Arsenal are poised to move for Kenan Yildiz after the Juventus forward’s contract talks stalled in Turin.
The Turkey international is primarily a wide forward but can play across the front three and would be seen as a major coup if the Gunners could land his signature.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 21 November that Arsenal have joined the race for Nathaniel Brown, the highly-rated Eintracht Frankfurt left-back.
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