Arsenal 'step up' chase for £85m La Liga star also on Aston Villa's radar

Arsenal are said to be ‘seriously’ interested in the young Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra but could well face competition from their Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

The two sides have already come face-to-face once this campaign with the Gunners beating Villa 2-0 at Villa Park in the Premier League’s second matchday. However, they are now set to battle it out again, this time away from the field, over the 21-year-old Spanish U21 star.

Guerra currently has a release clause of €100 million (£85m) but reports from CaughtOffside have suggested that the La Liga club could well consider selling him for less than €30m (£25m). Guerra is said to have long been considered a rising talent in Spanish football but, despite occasional links with bigger European clubs, a move is yet to materialise.

However, this may well change with the reports noting the Gunners are stepping up their interest in Guerra as they prepare to make changes in midfielder. It is thought that replacements for Jorginho (32) and Thomas Partey (31) will soon need to be found, especially considering both are out of contract at the end of this season.

Guerra would also make a useful alternative to both Declan Rice and Mikel Merino in the middle pitch although many Gunners fans may wish the young Spanish star would arrive in time for this weekend’s north London derby - given that Rice, Merino and potentially Martin Odegaard all ruled out through suspension and injury respectively.

Arsenal could well be facing a transfer battle from Unai Emery’s club in the chase for Guerra’s signature, but CaughtOffside adds in their report that the Valencia star’s preferred choice would be Arsenal, largely due to Mikel Arteta who is widely considered as one of the best young coaches in the game.

After a brief youth stint with Villarreal, Guerra has spent his entire career with Valencia, so far making 47 La Liga appearances for the club, the majority of which came last season. He also has five domestic goals as well as seven Spanish Youth appearances at both Under-19 and Under-21 level, and is praised for being able to play both a holding or more advanced midfield position.