Arsenal are hoping they can persuade Real Madrid youngster Jose Rodriguez to move to the Emirates Stadium.
The 17-year-old made his Los Blancos debut in the 4-1 Copa del Rey victory over Alcoyano on Thursday, notching his side’s third goal, and a report in El Economista claims Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger is hot on his trail.
It is understood that Wenger almost signed the Alicante-born midfielder last summer, when his parents were invited to London by the Premier League club, with whom they had arrived at both an economic and sporting agreement.
However, the Spanish champions moved swiftly to offer Rodriguez a professional contract, with a €5m rescission clause inserted into it, with the promise he would be fast-tracked through the ranks at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid appear to have made good on that promise despite recent criticism of boss Jose Mourinho’s policy of appearing to ignore the club’s emerging youngsters.
