Arsenal agree terms with Fresneda - Ornstein

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:09 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have both agreed terms with Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda as the race to sign him this January hots up.

The 18-year-old right-back is an in-demand prospect and has been embroiled in a transfer saga throughout the winter transfer window.

His recent performance against Real Madrid was particularly impressive and has prompted an increase in urgency in the hunt to land him this month.

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According to David Ornstein, Arsenal and Dortmund have both agreed terms for the player, with a fee of €15 million being negotiated with Valladolid.

He will also be loaned back to the Spanish club for the rest of the 2022/23 season as they attempt to avoid relegation and stay in the top flight.

FootballTransfers recently exclusively reported that Newcastle had touched base with Fresneda's representatives, but the Magpies' interest has now cooled, according to Ornstein.

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Fresneda set to decide new club soon

The Spain Under-19 international will choose his next club on Monday, January 23, according to Guillermo Rai, meaning Arsenal could be about to complete their second signing of the January window.

Mikel Arteta's side have already added Brighton & Hove Albion's Leandro Trossard to the fold after missing out on first-choice target Mykhailo Mudryk, who instead joined Chelsea.

The Belgian forward made his debut in Arsenal's 3-2 win over Manchester United on January 22.

However, the Gunners' plans could be foiled by Dortmund, who have a history of buying young talent and turning them into stars. Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham are two recent examples of just that, while Jamie Bynoe-Gittens could be next. The Englishman scored his second ever Bundesliga goal during their victory against Augsburg on January 21.

Fresneda would also become the second January signing at the Bundesliga club after their addition of Union Berlin's Julian Ryerson.