Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is sending a senior scout to Italy this weekend to watch Afriyie Acquah after shortlisting him as a top-summer transfer target.

A source at the Emirates revealed the defensive midfielder will be watched when Parma host Inter Milan in Saturday’s Serie A tie at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

‘‘It was concluded last week Monday that Acquah be scouted more aggressively due to his sterling form and irreplaceable qualities of Michael Essien,” the source told Africanfootball.com.

‘‘We understand one of the senior scouts will be heading to Parma this week, on the instructions of Wenger [Arsene] to watch the midfielder.

“It’s very certain that Arsenal will bid for him in the summer because the club see him as a relatively cheap substitute to the more established talents in his position.’’

This is not the first time that Arsenal want to look at the Ghana international midfielder.

Arsenal had announced a scout was to go the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to monitor him but he did not make Ghana’s list.

Acquah has been in superb form this season where he has made 14 starts in 23 appearances.