Arsenal tracking Barcelona teenager Xavi Espart ahead of January window

Arsenal are monitoring Barcelona youngster Xavi Espart as manager Mikel Arteta considers whether to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window, according to reports.

Sports Mole reports that Arsenal and Tottenham have both followed the 19-year-old closely and compiled detailed scouting reports on the Barcelona defender.

Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are also keeping track of Espart, although no formal negotiations have begun with any club.

Espart recently signed a professional contract with Barcelona running until June 2030. The agreement includes a release clause worth more than 100m euros, equivalent to £85m, underlining the club’s determination to retain one of the most promising players in its academy.

Despite the size of that clause, Barcelona could reportedly consider negotiations if they receive an offer of about 50m euros, or £42m, with additional bonuses and incentives included.

The teenager’s progress has been particularly notable under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. Reports indicate that Espart has started seven of the club’s nine La Liga matches this season, operating at left-back in place of Alejandro Balde.

Flick has praised Espart’s confidence in possession, while the player has been compared by some observers with former Germany and Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm.

Espart’s ability to play both as a full-back and in midfield is understood to be a major attraction for Arsenal. That versatility could be relevant at Emirates Stadium, where Miles Lewis-Skelly performs a broadly similar role.

Arsenal are likely to value a player capable of operating in several positions despite his age. However, Barcelona’s long-term assessment of Espart and their determination to keep him make a move during the January window difficult.

For now, continuing to monitor his development appears to be the most realistic course of action for Arsenal.

Espart has yet to represent the Spain senior team, but he has progressed through the country’s youth sides, from under-17 level through to the under-21s. If he continues to receive first-team opportunities at Barcelona, a senior call-up could eventually follow.

Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal’s traditional rivals, are also watching the player’s development. Espart’s technical ability and capacity to feature in more than one position have attracted attention, but Barcelona’s substantial release clause is designed to make a January departure difficult.

The club is keen to keep one of the leading emerging talents from its academy, meaning any potential deal would depend on whether a suitor is prepared to meet its valuation or negotiate terms that satisfy Barcelona.