Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign a fellow Spaniard. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Arsenal have made a number of very smart transfers in recent years and another move could be on the table for 2026. Mikel Arteta wants to add a young midfielder to his squad next summer, and a familiar avenue could be used to meet this demand.
In recent years, Arsenal have been exploring the Spanish market, signing Mikel Merino, Martin Zubmendi and Cristian Mosquera from La Liga. This will continue to be used by the Premier League leaders as they look for another midfield option.
Arsenal’s efforts to sign Rodrigo Mendoza led by Andrea Berta
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are interested in Elche star Rodrigo Mendoza, who has performed well in La Liga this season.
“Bringing in players from Spain has been a successful path for Arsenal in recent transfer windows. Zvimendi, Mikel Merino and Mosquela have also joined Arsenal in recent transfer windows. Obviously sporting director Andrea Berta knows Spanish football well from his time at Atlético Madrid, so he will be well connected.”
“Mendoza is a very highly regarded young player and he’s had a good season with Elche in La Liga, so it’s no surprise that Arsenal and other clubs are keeping an eye on the situation. I think that’s the situation right now. I think they’re keeping an eye on what’s going on with him. I don’t think there’s anything solid, concrete that they’re going to make a move for him.”
“His contract has a release clause for a relatively low price of £17 million, so he will be of interest to a number of clubs. Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for him, but he is a young player with huge potential so it’s no surprise that Arsenal and other top clubs are keeping an eye on him, but I don’t think it’s a priority for Arsenal to try to sign Mendoza in January.”
“They will continue to monitor that and maybe in the summer they will establish it in the Spain Under-21 squad.”
Is Arsenal the right move for Rodrigo Mendoza?
Mendoza has attracted interest from a number of top clubs across Europe, with Arsenal currently well placed to win the race to sign him. He will learn from Arteta’s top manager, but the likes of Zubmendi, Merino and Declan Rice will also help him develop.
