Arsenal are interested in Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals, according to reports in Spain.

The midfielder has a €33m (£28.5m) release clause which the Gunners could look to trigger but with the London club only recruiting players on loan this month, they could miss out on the Spanish international.

West Ham are also said to be keen on Fornals, but the club most likely to put in a bid before the transfer window closes is Napoli.

The Serie A club’s manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the Partenopei have been scouting the 22-year-old:

“Fornals is one of the youngsters that we are tracking, but he is not the only option. He makes up a list of several young talents that we are actively pursuing.”

Arsenal are looking to sign a midfielder this month with both Barcelona’s Denis Suarez and PSG’s Christopher Nkunku being heavily linked.

The latter is said to be available on loan with a purchase option of €20m, and Fornals would only cost slightly more if he were still available in the summer.

The Spaniard has scored three goals and provided four assists in 29 appearances for Villarreal so far this season.