Arsenal are planning a swoop for Marseille defensive prospect Christopher Rocchia.
The left-back, 19, is rated the French club’s most promising youngster.
He captains their reserve side and has been named understudy to their ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra.
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The Gunners’ chief French scout Gilles Grimandi has contacted Rocchia’s advisors after being impressed by the teenager’s displays, according to FootMarcato.
And club chiefs may now table an official bid for the Marseille-born prodigy in January.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has also made an approach for Rocchia.
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The defender will be out of contract next summer, and Marseille have offered him a much-improved new deal to 2020.
However he is strongly tempted to quit his underachieving hometown club for England or Germany.
And he is believed to favour the prospect of becoming the latest recruit to Arsene Wenger’s French legion at the Emirates.
Both the Gunners and Dortmund are well known for giving first-team opportunities to talented young players.
And a source close to Rocchia said: “When you take a look at the reservoir of young players to have emerged from these two clubs, you think Rocchia has every chance of success with them.”
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