Arsenal monitor Rafael Dias

Arsenal have sent scouts to watch the development of Portuguese midfielder Rafael Dias, currently playing for Ligue 1 side Sochaux.

The talented 20 year old central midfielder has not yet fully broken into the first team at Sochaux, but is expected to have a huge impact once given first team opportunities at the Ligue 1 side.

Dias currently has a contract with Sochaux until 2013.

It is understood that Arsenal's France-based scouting network is monitoring reserve games at Sochaux as they track the midfielder, who could be a long term replacement for Cesc Fabregas.