Arsenal could make a £20 million offer to sign Ivan Fresneda from Real Valladolid, as Mikel Arteta admires the versatile defender’s talents.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal could match Real Valladolid’s asking price and make a £20 million offer for Ivan Fresneda. The versatile defender is a long-term target for Mikel Arteta, who likes the 18-year-old Spanish wonderkid’s talents.

Arsenal have felt the effects of a depleted backline and will certainly rue their decision not to sign defensive cover in January. While they did bring Jakub Kiwior to deputize for Gabriel Magalhaes, there were some concerns about the personnel on the right side of the area.

Since Ben White moved to right-back at the start of the season, William Saliba has taken over the right centre-back position. His cover, Rob Holding’s performances have been nervy and cost Arsenal in the Premier League title race as the Frenchman sustained an injury.

Mikel Arteta has struggled to cover the Frenchman’s position, with Takehiro Tomiyasu also suffering a season-ending injury in the same game as Saliba got sidelined. The Gunners tried to sign Ivan Fresneda in January, having allowed Cedric Soares to leave; their failure in that pursuit has hurt them in a big way.

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The Gunners have maintained an interest in Fresneda and have held regular talks with the player’s entourage. They are now ready to make a bid for the 18-year-old Spanish wonderkid amounting to £20 million as they look to agree on a deal early.

Fresneda has plenty of admirers apart from Arsenal. Borussia Dortmund were also close to signing him, but Newcastle United also hold an interest in the 18-year-old Spanish wonderkid. In short, he will have plenty of options if he leaves Valladolid.

The Spanish side demanded slightly over £20 million, and Arsenal are ready to table an offer around that range. The report claims the Gunners will match the asking price, which could see Valladolid accept the proposal.

Arteta likes the idea of Fresneda, who can play right-back and centrally. The Spanish manager wants another player who he could invert from the full-back position and add a new threat to his setup. He has successfully done that with Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left side but tends to keep Ben White in a more defensive position.

While Arsenal seem intent on signing Fresneda, the final decision will fall on the defender. He could ponder his choices and then decide on his new club basis for the project and playtime guarantees. He could feature in plenty of games for the Gunners. But much will become clearer soon.

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