Arsenal plotting transfer move for Real Madrid target with £17.5m release clause | Football

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 eye-catching season with Elche last season, starring from midfield to help 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 in the Spanish top flight in spite of his tender years, with Elche sitting tenth in the table.

But Mendoza’s excellent form has begun to attract the attentions of top teams from across European football and speculation is mounting that the Spaniard could soon be set for bigger and better things.

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal’s recruitment team are closely monitoring Mendoza’s development and have been put on red alert by the youngster’s form in recent weeks and months.

The Gunners know they will face ‘intense’ competition in 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 in 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 move on from Elche next summer, there is the possibility that he could 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 big future with the Spanish national team, Mendoza has represented his country at youth level from the Under-17s right through to the Under-21s.

Before his side’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid at 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 would take ‘a lot of money’ to prise the youngster away from Elche.

‘Before Spain’s U21 team faced Romania, he texted me and said he was doing very well,’ Sarabia told reporters.

‘The matches haven’t been particularly demanding and he wanted 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 fantastic players in a great atmosphere.

From there, his return and integration will be natural. He’ll be at 100 per cent to face Real Madrid.

‘Regarding the rumours, he in a good position and surrounded by good people.

‘If anyone wants Rodrigo, they should pay a lot of money, and we’ll see if he leaves or not.’

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