Arsenal ‘line up’ striker who snubbed chance to play alongside Lionel Messi but face battle with Premier League rivals

ARSENAL are lining up a swoop for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, according to reports.

Gimenez, 22, has had a red-hot start to the Eredivisie season.

AlamySantiago Gimenez has been in red-hot form for Feyenoord[/caption]

Having plundered 15 goals last time around, he has scored 10 in just seven games so far this term.

According to Fichajes, the Gunners are among a gaggle of Prem clubs to be impressed by Gimenez.

To sign the 6ft ace, Mikel Arteta‘s side will have to beat off interest from London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea.

Arsenal are hoping to bolster their forward line, with neither Eddie Nketiah or Gabriel Jesus scoring prolifically so far this season.

Spurs, meanwhile, could look for a long-term Harry Kane replacement despite Son Heung-min‘s excellent start to the season.

Chelsea could look to recruit support for Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja, having endured a goal-shy start to life under Mauricio Pochettino.

Feyenoord are expected to demand around £43million for their star man.

Gimenez was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

But he rejected the chance to play with Lionel Messi and Co for the country of his birth in order to represent Mexico.

He spent much of his childhood living in Mexico, after his footballer father Christian moved to Liga MX.

Having moved to Mexico aged three, Gimenez later said: “I feel more Mexican than Argentine.”

He has earned 20 caps for his country and was named in their preliminary squad for last year’s World Cup.

Gimenez suffered the heartache of being cut for the final 26 that travelled to Qatar.

Last week he scored a stunning hat-trick in his side’s 4-0 annihilation of Ajax in Amsterdam.

He then notched again in their 3-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday.