Arsenal continue to be busy this January transfer window as sporting director Edu Gaspar eyes a move for another signing…
What’s the word?
The Gunners have already made an addition in the form of Leandro Trossard from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion and appear to be closing in on a second arrival, with Spezia centre-back Jakub Kiwior on the verge of sealing a move.
And now, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, a third signing could be on the horizon.
“Arsenal have planned for new round of talks for Ivan Fresneda next week after opening negotiations with both player and club side – Newcastle remain keen on signing Spanish right back,” he tweeted. “Fresneda would be open to Premier League move.”
Is Trossard, Kiwior and Fresneda a successful window?
A dream signing for Arteta?
Young, bags of potential and Spanish; Fresneda would surely be something of a dream addition for manager Mikel Arteta, one that fits in with the impressive project he’s building at the Emirates Stadium.
The former Gunners midfielder has transformed the club on and off the pitch, transitioning from an era of overpaid and underperforming big-money flops to a squad built on youth and the future and so far this season, it looks to be paying serious dividends with the north Londoners sat top of the table.
Fresneda, like Kiwior, would be a phenomenal addition to fit the product on offer at Arsenal.
At just 18, he’s certainly one for the long run but having been already exposed to first-team football in LaLiga with Real Valladolid CF, the teenager could well compete for a spot ahead of Benjamin White or Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Indeed, his breakthrough at the Albivioletas has seen him lauded as “one of the revelations of the season” by Spanish football expert Matt Clark, who would also go onto describe the 6-foot dynamo as “complete,” adding that he is “tall but agile, quick and athletic” and “strong in the tackle.”
Also dubbed as a “very special talent” by ESPNUK editor David Cartlidge, Fresneda has excelled at this elite level as when compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five divisions over the last year, he ranks inside the top 1% for tackles, the top 4% for clearances and the top 9% for interceptions, via FBref.
Given all of the evidence above, it’s hard to root against Gunners chief Edu securing a move for the Valladolid sensation – who is thought to be available for around €20m (£18m) despite his €30m (£26m) release clause.
In Fresneda, Arteta could unearth a dream signing and his true long-term right-back of this exciting era.
