VALENCIA have made a bid to snatch Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela from under Wanderers' noses.

The Spanish club have emerged as serious rivals to sign the 21-year-old, with reports suggesting they are ready to take him on loan for the season, with a view to a £2million permanent deal.

Owen Coyle confirmed on Wednesday night that he had contacted Arsene Wenger about Vela, and that he was looking to offer a similar platform to that given to Jack Wilshere, who progressed under his tutelage last season.

He views the skilful Mexican as the perfect addition to his front line, and also added insurance against the likelihood of Johan Elmander leaving the club.

But Valenica are ready to offer him a route back into La Liga, where he has already spent time on loan with Salamanca and Osasuna. Wanderers would like to see something happen before they return to Premier League action against Stoke City on January 15, and with the player’s agent Eduardo Hernandez currently in the UK to talk with Arsenal’s representatives, it seems likely the situation will soon come to a head.

“Nothing has been decided,” Hernandez said. “We will explore all options available to him, and when I say all I mean everything.

“Carlos has good memories of Spanish football and it’s flattering that a club like Valencia is interested. We will analyse the situation.”

Vela has three league appearances to his name but came to prominence in Arsenal’s young Carling Cup side.

He scored against Wanderers in the Gunners’ 4-1 victory at the Emirates back in September.