Arsenal transfer news: Gunners leading the race to sign Espanyol defender Hector Moreno with Mexican willing to 'do anything' to secure move

Moreno starred for Mexico at last year's World Cup and is also interesting the likes of Tottenham

Espanyol defender Hector Moreno (Getty Images)

Arsenal are reported to be rivalling old foes Tottenham in the race to sign Espanyol defender Hector Moreno, according to reports.

The 27-year-old Mexico international starred for the North American’s at last summer’s World Cup in Brazil, where the Mexican’s reached the round of 16 only to be knocked out by eventual third-place side the Netherlands.

Moreno, who joined Espanyol in 2011 after spending four years with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, has played 15 league games for the Spanish side this season, and is believed to be interesting a number of clubs in the Premier League.

According to the Metro, Arsenal have moved ahead in the race for his signature despite prolonged interest from North London rivals Spurs, and the centre-back is said to be willing to “do anything” in order to secure a move to the Emirates in the summer.

Moreno starred for Mexico at the World Cup last year (Getty Images)

Whether Arsenal will move for another centre-back is unknown given that manager Arsene Wenger sealed the addition of Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista in the January transfer window, but there have been concerns over how long Per Mertesacker will be able to cut it at the top of the game given his shaky form this season.

Calum Chambers continues to be an option in the middle of the back-four, although so far his education has seen him feature predominantly on the right and more recently out of the side altogether, given the emergence of Hector Bellerin in Mathieu Debuchy’s absence.