Arsenal could repeat their William Saliba masterstroke as they set their sights on a young defensive sensation…
What’s the word?
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have held talks over signing Real Valladolid CF right-back Ivan Fresneda, who was once on the books of Real Madrid.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the reliable transfer guru said:
“At the moment, it is not that easy. But it’s true that Arsenal had conversations with his agents and it’s true that Arsenal are interested.
“It’s going to be important to understand what they can offer because Real Valladolid are prepared to accept less than the release clause.
“The release clause is €30million, but they’re prepared to accept around €15million and they want the player to stay until the end of the season to help Real Valladolid to fight and stay in LaLiga.
“Borussia Dortmund are offering that.”
Should Arsenal sign Fresneda and loan him back to Valladolid?
YES!
NO!
Saliba repeat
For just £13m, the 18-year-old starlet could be an absolute bargain and if the LaLiga outfit want him back for the remainder of the season, then surely it’s a no-brainer.
Mikel Arteta already has two solid options at right-back in Benjamin White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, so it’s hard to see the young Spaniard breaking into the starting lineup anytime soon.
He could continue his meteoric rise by remaining at the Pucelanos, where his impressive form and talents have clearly caught the eye of Arsenal.
Indeed, Fresneda is performing at quite the elite level considering it’s his first real breakthrough into the men’s senior game.
Per FBref, the former La Fabrica gem is averaging 3.39 tackles, 3.16 clearances and 1.52 interceptions per 90. Such returns see him rank inside the top 2%, 4% and 11% when compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top-five divisions.
It’s why he has been lauded as a “very special talent” with a “beastly” crossing ability by both ESPN UK editor David Cartlidge and journalist Juan Arroita.
Perhaps the Gunners could take inspiration from the signing of Saliba, who in July 2019 joined the club in a £27m deal from Saint-Etienne, only to be loaned back for the season.
He’d go out on loan two more times before finally making his mark in north London and now, he’s an integral part of Arteta’s league-leading backline, one that has conceded the second-fewest goals behind Newcastle United.
There is a slim chance that Fresneda makes an instant impact to the squad if signed before Tuesday’s transfer deadline but in the long run, he’s a player that would benefit Arteta’s system and the club’s vision.
As such, Edu must look to replicate the Saliba blueprint with a late swoop for “one of the revelations of the season so far in LaLiga” – as recently lauded by Spanish football expert Matt Clark.
In signing Fresneda ahead of Dortmund, the north London giants could repeat an absolute masterclass, so the Brazilian must now get to work on getting this deal over the line.
AND in other news, Arsenal eye bargain Caicedo alternative in £52m “playmaker” who’s “the new Busquets”…
