Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly two of nine clubs seeking to strike a deal for Racing Club midfielder Carlos Alcaraz this summer.
The 19-year-old has featured regularly for the Argentinian outfit since being promoted from their youth academy and has caught the eye with his showings in the engine room.
A breakthrough 2021 campaign saw Alcaraz make 25 appearances for Racing Club in all tournaments, scoring one goal and providing three assists in that period.
Alcaraz has already amassed five goals and two assists from 17 games in the 2022 season in his native Argentina, while his versatility has also been on display.
The midfielder has been comfortable in a deep-lying or advanced midfield role - as well as in the number eight position - while he has also featured further forward on both flanks.
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Alcaraz only signed a contract extension with Racing two months ago, and those terms are not due to expire until the summer of 2026.
However, Marca claims that as many as nine clubs have been keeping a close eye on Alcaraz throughout the past year, including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners are set to wave goodbye to Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi at the end of the season, while Thomas Partey continues to endure a difficult period with injuries.
Mohamed Elneny is supposedly in talks with the club over a new contract, but Mikel Arteta is expected to be in the market for at least one new lynchpin in the summer window.
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Antonio Conte will have Pape Sarr at his disposal for the 2022-23 season, but Harry Winks continues to be linked with an exit amid his lack of starts.
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The two North London clubs will face stiff competition for Alvarez's signature, though, with the report claiming that Inter Milan - who poached Lautaro Martinez from Racing in 2018 - are also keen on a move.
AC Milan, Juventus, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers and PSV Eindhoven are also understood to have sent scouts to keep tabs on Alcaraz's development throughout the season.
In total, Alcaraz has amassed eight goals and six assists in 58 senior appearances for Racing and is said to possess a $25m (£17.4m) release clause in his current deal, but the club could be persuaded to sell for $20m (£14m).
Tottenham blew the race for fourth in the Premier League table wide open by thumping Arsenal 3-0 in Thursday's North London derby - cutting the gap to their bitter rivals down to one point.
Conte's side will rise into the top four with at least a point against Burnley before Arsenal seek to restore order against Newcastle United on Monday evening.
Ben Knapton
