BREAKING: Arsenal reportedly want ‘complete’ £10m speedster who ‘will be sold’ this month, Edu must hurry
Arsenal have been linked with Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda in recent weeks.
The Daily Mail claimed in December that the Gunners were showing real interest in the 18-year-old right-back.
However, Arsenal appear to have slipped behind in the race for Fresneda.
Premier League rivals Newcastle United have since emerged as the apparent frontrunners.
Admittedly, Arsenal probably don’t need a right-back as much as Newcastle do.
The Gunners are so spoilt for choice that Takehiro Tomiyasu is now back-up to Ben White.
In addition, Cedric Soares is reportedly in line for a January exit.
That said, if Cedric does leave, then Fresneda could be a suitable third-choice behind Tomiyasu and White.
‘I see a fantastic player to buy’
Valladolid manager Pacheta seems resigned to losing the £10million-rated player this month.
“Fresneda will be sold,” Pacheta said on Wednesday night, as quoted by Sky Sports.
He then spoke about how good the youngster is and how he’d be a great investment.
“Ivan is 18-years-old and does things like someone in his thirties,” continued Pacheta.
“They are not set to buy the Fresneda of today, but what he could become over four years.
If I was the owner of a club, I would have no doubts.
“I can put myself in the shoes of another manager who needs a right-back, and all fingers point to Fresneda.
“If I watch the game against Real Madrid, or another game, I see a fantastic player to buy.
“And where we are inundated with statistics all over the world, Fresneda’s statistics are crazy.
“All these characteristics make me doubt we can keep him here. I would like it but I also know the needs of the club.”
‘A complete full-back’
Fresneda is ‘one of the biggest prospects in European football’ (AS), having burst onto the scene in recent months.
The teenager made his Valladolid debut last season and has clocked up 10 appearances overall for his club.
This term, Fresneda has featured seven times in La Liga for the newly-promoted outfit.
Football Talent Scout recently published a scouting report about the £10million-rated talent.
Jacek Kulig described him as a ‘complete full-back’ with ‘very good pace at all distances’ and who’s ‘able to deliver pinpoint crosses even at top speed’.
In addition, Fresneda ‘impacts the game at both ends of the pitch’, is an ‘accurate and tenacious tackler’, and has ‘inexhaustible energy and stamina’.
He boasts an impressive potential rating of 9/10, suggesting he could ‘become a key player in a top European club’.
With all this in mind, Arsenal should certainly consider making a move, particularly for such a low reported fee.
However, Edu must hurry, because Newcastle seem to be leading the race.
