Arsenal have been dealt another transfer blow as teenage defender Ivan Fresneda is set to remain a Real Valladolid player for the rest of the season, despite serious interest from the Gunners.
Fresneda was expected to move this January, with his decision seemingly between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund after interest from Newcastle failed to materialise into a serious offer. And, it was expected that a bid of 15m euros would be enough to see him head to pastures new.
However, as per Fabrizio Romano, the defender is now set to stay put, with a deal failing to be struck, leaving both the Gunners and their German rivals without a key transfer target this winter.
A Real Madrid academy graduate, 18-year-old Fresneda has made 10 La Liga appearances to date for Real Valladolid, having made the step up to the senior side from the reserves over the summer and has been described by his manager as “18 years old, but he does things that people of 30 do”, such have been his performances for the Spanish side.
He also has four Spain U19 caps to his name, and is in contention for a call up to the senior squad for the March internationals.
While it is a blow for Arsenal to fail to snap up the youngster, they will take heart from the fact that Borussia Dortmund have also been snubbed for a winter move. Any deal this January would likely have included a loan back to his current club for the remainder of the season, meaning that there is little lost from failing to do a transfer this January, unless his performances catch the eyes of more of Europe’s elite ahead of a summer tussle.
