Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that he is determined to fight off Atletico Madrid and Seville who are eyeing young Spanish star Fran Merida.
Merida, now age 19 is billed as the next Cesc Fabregas and has so far played three Carling Cup games for Arsenal.
It is now believed that Arsene Wenger wants to give the teenager a five-year deal.
Just as Cesc Fabregas, Merida joined the youth ranks of FC Barcelona at the age of eight.
Merida joined Arsenal in 2007 without compensation, as he had not signed a contract with Barcelona and he signed his professional terms with Arsenal after his 17th birthday.
Merida was one of the star members of the Spanish U-17 squad, that won the 2007 UEFA U-17 Championships and In July 2007, he also starred for the Spain U-17 squad in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea but, they finished runners up, losing to a dominant Nigeria in a penalty shootout, with Merida missing the second penalty of the three taken.