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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Ivan Fresneda ‘proud’ of transfer links amid talk of summer Arsenal move

Ivan Fresneda has revealed he is “proud” to be linked with clubs like Arsenal as talk of a summer move away from Real Valladolid continues.

The 18-year-old was a January target for the Gunners, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, and while it was initially believed that Arsenal were leading the race for Fresneda, he ultimately stayed in Spain.

However, that battle for the right-back’s signature is set to heat up again at the end of the season, with Newcastle also among the clubs chasing the highly-rated teenager, who has a release clause of £26.5million.

Speaking while on international duty with the Spanish U19 side, Fresneda addressed reports linking him with a move as it was revealed he is currently learning to speak English and German.

“I’m proud but I always say it, I’m also at a big club, Valladolid,” Fresneda told AS.

“I have always valued studies with a view to the future, beyond football. I am a person who likes to learn languages.”

The defender’s agent Luis Bardaji insisted at the start of February that his client had no issues with remaining at Valladolid for the rest of the season, though did state he believes any future sale would be “historic” for the club.

“For us it is not a bad situation, no drama, quite the opposite,” Bardaji told AS.

“Ivan is happy to play for Real Valladolid, to be under the orders of Pacheta, who is the one who has allowed him to enjoy the way he is doing now.”

“If one day he has to leave we would like it to be a historic sale for the club.”

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