Mikel Arteta and sports director Andrea Berta may continue to bolster Arsenal despite having the most talented team in the Premier League, if not all of world football. The January market is officially open, and the Gunners are unlikely to enter it unless there is a really special offer.
However, Arsenal may decide to reevaluate their transfer strategy after a string of injuries throughout the first half of the season. The league leaders are under increasing pressure, with many claiming they have no justification for not winning. Here, Express Sport has examined the first action the Gunners need to do to make sure they are ready to end the season with a substantial trophy.
Arsenal has already scouted the 20-year-old Spain youth international, who has a £17 million release clause. Mendoza is a skilful and imaginative midfield midfielder who excels at taking on opponents and carrying the ball. Although he still needs a lot of work, particularly when it comes to possession, he has the potential to be a jewel that they might shape into their future No. 10.
Arsenal are interested in Rodrigo Mendoza
Mendoza’s summer departure is seen to be more plausible, although a winter relocation is not completely ruled out. Mendoza would become the most costly sale in Elche’s history if he left for his release clause. Mendoza made his senior debut in the Copa del Rey during the 2022–2023 season after rising through Elche’s ranks. The child had more opportunities after being demoted to the second division.
In the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, the academy product made 26 and 24 appearances, respectively. In the latter, Elche was promoted, and Mendoza has now started five games in the top division. Mendoza has only scored one goal from the middle of the field in nine La Liga games. However, he was left on the bench for the team’s most recent match against Real Madrid.
There is one Arsenal player that Mendoza already knows. He plays with Cristhian Mosquera, who signed with Spain in the summer, as an under-21 international. In January, Arsenal had no plans to make any big additions. For the summer window, Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta, the sports director, were reportedly making plans.
