Arteta learns bargain release clause with Arsenal ‘interest’ in top defensive target likely to hot up

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3 November 2024, 11:14 yayınlandı

Reported Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda will be available for €20million (£17.2m) this summer following Real Valladolid’s relegation from La Liga, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Fresneda impressed for Valladolid this season but could not help them avoid the drop to the second tier of Spanish football.

The 18-year-old right-back was the subject of interest from Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window but reports suggest no bid was made.

The two Premier League clubs are both expected to sign a new right-back in the summer and news of Fresneda’s new release clause could call Eddie Howe and Mikel Arteta into action.

There has been talk of Fresneda costing between £20m and £30m, but Valladolid’s relegation means he will be available for £17.2m, says transfer expert Romano, who confirmed Relevo’s report on the matter.

Although that figure is a very decent price to pay, Romano adds that there is a feeling a deal could be struck for even less.

Romano adds that Arsenal have ‘interest’ but have not tabled a bid, while Dortmund are ‘strongly interested’. Newcastle do not get a mention and have not for a while, so could be regarded as out of the race.

It has been reported elsewhere that the Gunners have lodged a bid to sign the Spanish teenager, .

A new right-sided defender does seem to be one of Arteta’s priorities going into the summer window.

Benjamin White was the Arsenal manager’s first-choice right-back in 2022/23 after centre-back William Saliba returned from his third loan in as many seasons.

Saliba and back-up right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu both suffered season-ending injuries in mid-March and this greatly hindered the Gunners’ bid to win the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.

The two injuries forced Arteta to bring in Rob Holding, which had a negative effect on Arsenal defensively and when trying to play out from the back.