Arsenal remain interested in signing talented Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda this summer. The Gunners missed out on securing his signature in January but are preparing to reignite their interest at the end of the season.
The Gunners currently possess a number of options in Fresneda's position with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu both Mikel Arteta's first choices. Cedric Soares went out on loan to Fulham in January and could be moved on this summer to make way for Fresneda's arrival.
The teenager continues to be tipped for a big move away from Spain having made a breakthrough this season. Jakub Kiwior signed from Spezia in January to add depth and quality at centre-back, but now it seems sporting director Edu Gaspar is going to target adding new faces at full-back.
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Arsenal face serious competition from Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund for Fresneda's signature, however, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming that the Bundesliga outfit were prepared to enter a bidding war for the young Spaniard last month. Taking to Twitter in January, Romano said: "Understand Ivan Fresneda will stay at Valladolid in January unless there are twists in the final hours.
"Arsenal & Borussia Dortmund wanted Spanish talented RB but deal was never done, Fresneda now expected to stay and help Valladolid. Next step: top club move in the summer."
Both White and Tomiyasu have the capability to play at centre-back, whilst Fresneda would come in as an out-and-out right-back with the ability to develop further, fitting into Arsenal's vision of signing talented youngsters that can grow into world-class players.
According to Romano, Valldolid had requested €15million (£13.25million) to let Fresneda leave in January but the Spanish club wanted the youngster back on loan for the rest of the season, something Arsenal weren't understood to be willing to sanction.
It has now been reported that Juventus have entered the race for the 18-year-old who is set to hold talks with his representatives this summer and discuss what is best for his future. The young full-back continues to impress in La Liga and his ability to play in an inverted role, essentially joining the midfield line, fits into Mikel Arteta's philosophy - as shown with Oleksandr Zinchenko at times this season.
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