Arsenal transfer blow: Real Madrid ready to trump Gunners with £17m deal for defender

Arsenal will face stiff competition from Real Madrid for Valencia left-back Jose Luis Gaya.

Kieran Gibbs has had a frustrating career blighted by reoccurring injuries and Nacho Monreal has not been the defensive saviour Arsene Wenger would have hoped for when he signed him.

So the Gunners are in the market for a full-back and sought-after Gaya certainly fits the bill.

Unfortunately for Arsenal the bill for his services is around £17m and Real Madrid are ready and willing to pay that - and possibly more - to complete the transaction.

Valencia are desperately trying to extend his current contract, which ends in 2016, as he has helped them up to fourth in La Liga so far this season with 19 impressive performances.

The 19-year-old is a Spain under-21 international and is attracting the attention of a number of top sides across Europe.