Arsenal are interested in Dinamo Zagreb centre back Filip Benkovic, according to reports.

The 20-year-old, who has earned the super original nickname of “Big Ben”, is the latest player to emerge from Zagreb’s esteemed academy.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are watching him, but could face competition from Chelsea, Tottenham and Inter Milan for his signature.

Benkovic has made 13 appearances for Zagreb this season and has scored three goals.

He made his debut for the club in 2015 and has gradually become a regular at centre back for them.

A centre back will certainly be on Arsenal’s list of targets in the summer when Per Mertesacker retires to take over the club’s academy.

Zagreb have one of the most prolific academies in Europe and have sold a number of excellent young players to big clubs in Europe.

Dejan Lovren, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Sime Vrsaljko, Mateo Kovacic and Vedran Corluka have all emerged from their academy in the last decade.

If Benkovic is the next off the conveyor belt, you can be sure that Zagreb will sell him for good money.

Benkovic stands at 194 centimetres and would add height to Arsenal’s backline.

He can also play as a defensive midfielder.