Arsenal scouts tracking Alex Grimaldo

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has instructed his top scout Steve Rowley to monitor the progress of Spanish left back Alex Grimaldo. The Barcelona B starlet, 18, has caught the eye with a number of excellent performances for the Catalan reserve side.

Comfortable playing at left back or at the centre of defence, the 5 foot 7 defender has already broken records in his home country as he became the youngest ever starting player in a Segunda Division game, aged just 15 years old and 349 days. From there Grimaldo has gone on to represent Barcelona's B team on a regular basis and has also appeared for Spain's under 21 side.

Arsenal have discovered numerous young players from Barcelona's youth academy in previous seasons and the Gunners could yet raid the Nou Camp for one of Spanish football's hottest prospects should a deal for Grimaldo be pushed through.

Arsenal have acquired Julio Pleguezuelo, Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin from Barca's youth squad in recent seasons.