Arsenal 'lining up £20m bid for Real Valladolid's Ivan Fresneda'

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £20m offer for Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda.

The 18-year-old's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with a number of leading European clubs believed to be interested in signing the Spaniard during the summer transfer window.

Fresneda was heavily linked with a move away from Real Valladolid in January, but the winter transfer window closed with the right-back still with his Spanish club.

Earlier this year, it was claimed that Arsenal were locked in a four-way battle with Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Newcastle United for the defender.

According to Football Insider, the Gunners are determined to win the race for his signature during this summer's transfer window and are currently lining up an offer in the region of £20m.

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Fresneda is expected to leave Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla this summer even if his club are successful in avoiding relegation to the second tier of Spanish football.

Real Valladolid are currently in 16th position in the La Liga table, just one point above the bottom three, with the relegation battle in Spain's top flight showing no signs of cooling down.

Fresneda has been a regular for his La Liga club during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 21 occasions in all competitions, with 19 of those appearances coming in La Liga.

The defender spent a period out of the side immediately after the January transfer window closed, but he has been a constant for Real Valladolid in recent weeks.

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Fresneda represented Real Madrid's youth academy before making the move to Leganes, featuring for the club between 2018 and 2020 ahead of a switch to his current side.

"No firm offer has arrived for Fresneda, but there is a lot of interest," Real Valladolid chief David Espinar told reporters in January amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Arsenal are expected to be active during this summer's transfer window, with the Gunners looking to build on what has been a successful 2022-23 season.

Mikel Arteta's side are now facing an uphill task to win the Premier League title, though, as Manchester City moved four points clear at the top of the table with a 2-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday.

Arsenal will be bidding to move back to within one point of the reigning champions when they travel to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.