Ivan-Fresneda-in-action-for-Real-Valladolid
Arsenal are now in pole position to complete the signing of Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, according to Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Fresneda transfer tussle
Numerous Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the 18-year-old this month, with Newcastle United said to have made a move in December, prior to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal joining the race for his signature.
However, it is the Gunners who have recently emerged as the frontrunners for the Spaniard, with reports earlier this week that they had agreed a £13.1m deal with Valladolid.
The player was left to decide between a move to either north London or Borussia Dortmund, and it now appears as though he has made his choice.
The Latest: Arsenal lead Fresneda chase
Football Insider sources have claimed that Arsenal are in pole position to make the right-back their third January signing and they now lead Dortmund in the race for the teenager after a recent breakthrough in talks.
The Gunners are confident about landing the 18-year-old, who will be loaned back to Valladolid for the remainder of the campaign if the deal goes through.
The Verdict: More good news for Arsenal
As if being top of the Premier League past the halfway point of the season isn’t pleasurable enough, Arsenal fans have every reason to be excited about Fresneda possibly coming in, given that he has put in some very promising performances in La Liga so far this term.
As relayed by Chronicle Live, Matt Clark of the La Liga Lowdown described the starlet as being ‘one of the revelations of the season’, while also lauding him as a ‘quick and athletic’ right-back with a combination of ‘physicality and technical ability’ who ‘reads the game very well’.
A no-nonsense defender, Fresneda has averaged more tackles per 90 (3.39) than Ben White (1.91) over the past year. He also excels at reading the game, as displayed by his ranking in the 90th percentile for interceptions per game (1.52) compared to other right-backs in Europe’s top five leagues.
Mikel Arteta appears to have identified a remarkable young defensive prospect to join up with the likes of William Saliba and new signing Jakub Kiwior, and the hope will be that Fresneda continues to develop at Valladolid in the second half of the season.
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