Arsenal have been scouting Olympiakos’ 18-year-old defender, Panagiotis Retsos, a player who has been used at left-back by the Greek side but can comfortably play in any of the positions along the back line.

Arsenal had scouts at a recent game between Greece u19s as they beat their Wales counterparts 2-0 as Retsos captained the side.

KIEV,UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 23: Panagiotis Retsos of FC Olympiacos in action during the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Olympiacos at the FFU Training Complex on February 23, 2015 in Kiev,Ukraine. (Photo by Genya Savilov/EuroFootball/Getty Images)
KIEV,UKRAINE – FEBRUARY 23: Panagiotis Retsos of FC Olympiacos in action during the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Olympiacos at the FFU Training Complex on February 23, 2015 in Kiev,Ukraine. (Photo by Genya Savilov/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

Making the breakthrough into the first team, Retsos already has nine appearances this season, only missing a few games when he suffered a fractured eye socket (orbit).

It has been suggested that Retsos is one of a number of players being watched with a view of replacing Nacho Monreal who turns 31 in February. While not anywhere near the end of his playing career, with Kieran Gibbs not trusted to be the full-time first-choice left back, it makes sense that the club are exploring options.

Whether Retsos becomes a realistic one remains to be seen.