Arsenal will reportedly send scouts to next month's Africa Cup of Nations with a directive to watch Parma midfielder Afriyie Acquah.
The 20-year-old combative midfielder has been likened to Michael Essien and has impressed in eight Serie A outings this season.
Acquah made his senior debut for Ghana in February and scored the winner in the Black Stars' match against Malawi in his second cap.
An unusual twist to Acquah's story is that he spent a full year with Northern Irish team Glentoran on a scholarship with the club's youth academy.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is understood to be keen on the youngster and will keep a close watch on his progress this season.
