Arsenal monitoring Ante Coric

Arsenal have deployed scouts to monitor the progress of young Croatian star Ante Coric. The player, who has been compared with compatriot Luka Modric, joined Dinamo Zagreb in 2013 from Red Bull Salzburg.

The 19-year-old is widely considered to be the brightest prospect in Croatia and Arsenal are not the only team interested but are believed to be the first team to have submitted a formal enquiry. Manchester United and Chelsea are also rumoured to have been in contact with Coric and his representatives.

This season Coric has been an influential part of Dinamo Zagreb's side and has scored multiple goals in the country's top flight. He has also been recently voted as the "Croatian Hope of the Year"; considered to be the most prestigious award for a young player in his homeland.

Arsenal are ready to spend up to 14 million GBP to secure a deal for the prodigious midfielder.