Atletico Madrid have confirmed they are interested in signing young Gunners attacking midfielder Fran Merida. The 19-year-old, who scored a cracker in The Gunners’ midweek Carling Cup win over Liverpool, is out of contract next summer.

The former Barcelona youth player has made just three substitute Premier League appearances during his time at Arsenal, but his talent has not gone unregistered on Atletico’s radar. Merida is a free agent at the end of the season and the Vicente Calderon side say it is down to the player whether he wants to join them for next season.