According to reports, Arsenal are looking to complete a deal for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, as well as a ‘pivot’ for a new forward..
Mykhaylo Mudryk has decided to join Chelsea after the Blues agreed a €100 million deal with Shakhtar Donetsk, despite previous reports that Arsenal were the frontrunners for the winger.
Arsenal reportedly had no intention of paying the asking price for Mudryk after making three lower bids, and the Blues also offered double what the Gunners were willing to pay in wages.
The Daily Telegraph now claims that Arsenal has ‘turned their attention’ to Fresneda, with the club expressing’serious interest’ in the teenager.
According to the report, ‘in recent days they have made clear their admiration for the 18-year-old,’ with Newcastle United also showing interest.
Fresneda, who plays at right back for Vallodolid, is having a breakout season in La Liga, having made nine league appearances, seven of which were in the starting XI.
According to the Telegraph, Fresneda ‘could be available for around £10m to £15m, depending on the number of teams who commit to making formal offers.’
Despite Vallodolid’s admission that Fresneda could leave in January, Arsenal’may prefer to wait until the summer to make their move’..
Fulham target Cedric Soares could leave the Emirates this month, increasing the likelihood of a deal for Fresneda, with Arsenal ‘considering their options at full-back’.
After missing out on Joao Felix and Mudryk, Arsenal ‘will now look to pivot to alternative forward targets,’ according to the report..
Despite Arsenal being five points clear of second-placed Manchester City in the Premier League, with a game in hand, former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson still doesn’t think Mikel Arteta’s side are “title contenders”..
Arsenal has done fantastically well, but they are still a long way from being title contenders in my opinion,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Look at the Newcastle game. They couldn’t get anyone on when they needed to make a change..
Except for Fabio Vieira, who Mikel Arteta paid £34 million for and does not appear to trust, there is no one on the bench. Then, two days later, Man City appears to be heading for a draw against Chelsea, but they bring on Grealish and Mahrez, and one crosses and one scores.
“That showed the quality Pep Guardiola has to work with and I just don’t see how Arsenal are going to be able to live with Man City over a period where there are 60-odd points up for grabs. To have any chance of winning, Arsenal would need to take four points away from Manchester City in those two games. Otherwise, I’m not sure how Arsenal will pull it off.”
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