Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign West Brom starlet Reyes Cleary, with the young striker's performances impressing the club.
The Gunners aren't alone in their keen interest in the 17-year-old, though, with a number of clubs said to be keeping a close eye on how his situation progresses over the coming months.
Cleary is yet to sign a professional contract with the Baggies, but his displays have led to him being involved with the first-team squad this season.
The striker scored his 30th goal of the season at youth level on Monday, further compounding just how impressive he has been.
All of those factors lead to transfer interest from Mikel Arteta, according to the Daily Mail, who is waiting to see what the youngster will choose as his next option for his career.
The report claims that along with the Gunners, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Salzburg, Southampton, Newcastle and Everton are also monitoring his progress, with Borussia Dortmund previously being linked.
It is believed that a move abroad could help Cleary break into first-team football at the top level quicker, as shown by the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, who both made the move to Germany with Dortmund to become young superstars.
The interest from Arsenal comes at a time where the club are at a crossroads in regards to their striking options.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already gone, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could also leave as free agents in the summer.
This would leave academy prospect Folarin Balogun, who is currently enjoying a loan spell at Middlesbrough, as the only natural striking option at the club.
football.london understands that Arteta is targeting two new strikers in the summer, and Balogun’s potential involvement in the senior team would see the need for a new option in the youth team that could progress.
Given Cleary’s promise and the club's ability to bring the best out of their young players, the move could make sense for the attacker.
The striker is of a different build to any striker at the club currently, though. He is quick and strong with an eye for goal, with the Daily Mail drawing comparisons to that of a young Romelu Lukaku.
If the Gunners were able to land a player who could go on to be the next Lukaku, it could save them millions down the line.
It would take time and opportunities for the youngster, but first for Arsenal would be actually landing him, especially with such interest from elsewhere.
