‘Worried’ Newcastle give up on Arsenal transfer battle as Howe ‘urges’ board to buy Man Utd target

Newcastle United are ‘worried’ they have missed out on Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda and have now turned their attention elsewhere, according to reports.

Fresneda was strongly linked with the Magpies, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund throughout the winter transfer window.

He ended up staying in Spain until the end of the season, but is again likely to be the subject of transfer interest this summer.

The 18-year-old has impressed in what is a pretty poor Valladolid side, playing 20 matches in La Liga this term.

Speaking to Spanish outlet AS last month, .

“I’m proud, but I always say it: I’m also at a big club, Valladolid,” he said.

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

A move to the Emirates seems pretty likely with Mikel Arteta looking to bolster his defence.

According to Football Insider, and do not fear a bidding war.

With Arsenal growing in confidence, Newcastle have reportedly turned their attention elsewhere.

Eddie Howe is eager to bring in a new right-back alongside a new midfielder and forward, according to reports.

And an alternative to Fresneda is Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, as per Football Insider.

The Magpies are ‘considering’ the signing of Dumfries – who has been linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea for quite some time.

Dumfries has often impressed for the Netherlands and enjoyed a stellar 2022 World Cup campaign as his nation reached the last eight in Qatar.

The report says Howe wants more competition for first-choice right-back Kieran Trippier and ‘is urging the Newcastle board’ to bring in the Dutch international.

Fresneda is still a ‘top target’, but the Geordies are ‘worried’ they have ‘missed their chance’ to sign the teenager amidst interest from Arsenal and Dortmund.

The German side are ‘progressing their talks with Fresneda’ and Newcastle would rather move for Dumfries than look to hijack a move for the Spaniard.

Newcastle did sign young right-back Harrison Ashby from West Ham for £3m in January, though Howe does not view him as a player ready for first-team action.

Howe is a ‘big admirer’ of Ashby and is eager for him to ‘progress behind the scenes’ following the addition of a new right-sided defender.