Ivan Fresneda, the right-back for Real Valladolid, has now been contacted by Arsenal to discuss a transfer, claims a recent report from Mundo Deportivo.
What recent transfer news is there regarding Arsenal?
Jurrien Timber of Ajax and Declan Rice of West Ham are reportedly on their way to the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta is reportedly planning to use the 22-year-old at right-back next season, despite having spent most of his career playing at center-back.
Journalist Ben Jacobs explained to CaughtOffside back in February that the Gunners are seeking to plan for the future by bringing in a new option at right-back, saying:
To add some depth and make long-term plans, Arsenal will consider a right back this summer.
“Ivan Fresneda, whom they attempted to sign in January, remains Arsenal’s top priority. Fresneda turned down offers from both the Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in favour of staying at Real Valladolid through the end of the current campaign. Up to 30 teams had inquired about Fresneda, according to his agent Luis Bardaji. Newcastle had him on the prowl as well.
Now that the Timber transfer is getting closer to completion, there has been talk that Arteta might return for the player he wanted to sign in January. According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal has rekindled their interest in Arteta and contact has already begun.
Arteta has always been fond of the Real Valladolid star, and now that his team was demoted from La Liga last year, his release clause has dropped to €20 million (£17 million), he is likely to be made available for a lower price.
The 18-year-old is being pursued by teams abroad as well; AC Milan has been mentioned as one such team. However, the Gunners have now gotten in touch with Valladolid to ensure that they will prevail in the battle for his services. Barcelona is interested in signing the young player, but the deal is stalled because of the Camp Nou’s financial problems.
Ivan Fresneda will he join Arsenal?
Given Barca’s current financial constraints, Arsenal appears to be in a great position to finally close a deal for the Spaniard, who has already managed to make a significant impression in La Liga.
The starlet is praised for his “technical ability” and described as a “remarkably complete right-back despite his young age, balancing his defensive duties with the odd attack too” by Matt Clark of the La Liga Lowdown podcast.
The young right-back, who made his debut last season, wouldn’t have wanted his team to be relegated, but he put on some very strong performances on a personal level, scoring in the 93rd percentile for clearances and blocks per 90 over the previous season.
Even so, the defender’s performance did deteriorate towards the end of the campaign, turning in a string of abject performances from March onward, earning a 5.9 SofaScore match rating against Athletic Bilbao and a 5.8 against Real Madrid.
Fresneda was, of course, not helped by the fact that he played for a team that dropped down a division last season; however, he could still be a good signing for Arsenal, especially given that he will now be available for the reduced fee of £17 million.
