Arsenal and Tottenham in transfer battle for Real Sociedad winger Barrenetxea who’s already had incredible career at 22

REAL SOCIEDAD winger Ander Barrenetxea is a transfer target of both Arsenal and Tottenham.

The Spanish under 21 international – who just turned 22 – was scouted by the North Londoners in November and December.

GettyAnder Barrenetxea is a transfer target of both Arsenal and Tottenham.[/caption]

But he then got sidelined for three weeks with an ankle injury, returning just ten days ago.

Arsenal rate him as a top target and one to bring competition for the wingers like Gabriel Martinelli.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta spent a season with Sociedad from 2004-05 and still has an excellent relationship with the club.

Arsenal scouts will attend the Basque derby tonight in Bilbao with Tottenham also set to be there.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou likens Barrenetxea to Jota, the Portuguese wideman formerly of Celtic.

Postecoglou is desperate to add another attacker to his frontline having suffered with injuries in his squad this season.

The Aussie has given green light to press ahead in a deal for Barrenetxea.

Tottenham and Arsenal value the fact the forward can operate from both the left and right wing.

He can even play centrally as a second striker due to his pace and skill, drawing comparisons to Jesus Navas.

Barrenetxea – whose mum Azu was a basketball coach – has scored four goals in 22 games in La Liga this season.

The forward made his Sociedad debut aged just 16 in 2018 to become the first player born in the 21st century to play in LaLiga.

And the youngster was even spotted riding home from one game on a public bicycle – having been too young to drive.