Arsenal now see £27m target as 'star in the making' at the Emirates | OneFootball

Icon: GiveMeSport

GiveMeSport

·25 February 2023

Arsenal now see £27m target as 'star in the making' at the Emirates

Article image:Arsenal now see £27m target as 'star in the making' at the Emirates

Arsenal see Ivan Fresneda as a 'potential star in the making' and are keen to seal his arrival at the Emirates Stadium from Real Valladolid, journalist Pete O'Rourke has told GiveMeSport.

The Gunners are challenging for the Premier League title but, having signed Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho last month, boss Mikel Arteta will be handed another opportunity to bolster his squad in the summer.


OneFootball Videos


Arsenal transfer news - Ivan Fresneda

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are in a four-way fight with Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Newcastle United to sign Fresneda ahead of next season.

GiveMeSport VIDEO OF THE DAY

Play Video

The report suggests the right-back, who has a release clause worth close to £27million written into his Valladolid contract, has been scouted by the north Londoners and he will assess his options at the end of the campaign.

Arsenal attempted to get a deal over the line for Fresneda in January, when they matched Dortmund's £13million bid and there was growing confidence that the sensation would join, but he opted to remain with his current employers.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano previously told GiveMeSport that the Gunners held discussions with the teenager's agents as they upped the ante in their pursuit.

Newcastle also met with Fresneda's representatives and discussed a move to the Premier League after watching him in action for Valladolid.

What has Pete O'Rourke said about Fresneda?

O'Rourke believes Arsenal chief Arteta and sporting director Edu rate Fresneda highly and have earmarked him as an exciting up-and-coming talent they should invest in.

The journalist feels the capital club will return to the negotiating table and attempt to reach an agreement with Valladolid if it becomes clear they are open to sanctioning his departure in the coming months.

O'Rourke told GiveMeSport: "I think Arsenal see him as a real potential star in the making, so I'm sure they will continue to follow his exploits at Valladolid.

"If the opportunity does come up, I'm sure they will make a move for him this summer."

Would Fresneda be a good signing for Arsenal?

FBref statistics show Fresneda has averaged more tackles, interceptions and clearances per 90 minutes than Ben White this season.

That highlights the Spaniard could offer the Gunners more defensive solidity than the England international, who joined in a £50million move from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 and has featured heavily at right-back.

Only two Valladolid teammates have been handed a better average match rating by WhoScored in La Liga this term, further emphasising that Fresneda has been in fine form.

The 18-year-old is in the early stages of his senior career, but he has already been handed more than 700 minutes of action in his homeland's top flight, so it is abundantly clear that he has already made a lasting impression.

According to Sofascore data, Fresneda has created two big chances since the La Liga campaign got underway, so he is capable of contributing in the attacking third of the pitch as well as defensively.

View publisher imprint