Arsenal are now ‘hopeful’ of striking a £13million deal and ‘enticing’ a Mikel Arteta target to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the deadline, it has been claimed.
Arsenal have ‘set up the deal’ to sign Ivan Fresneda and the Gunners are ‘hopeful’ that the Real Valladolid man will head to the Emirates Stadium in the coming days, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
The Gunners are flying high at the top of the Premier League, but boss Mikel Arteta could bolster his squad ahead of the fast-approaching January deadline.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
Arsenal transfer news – Ivan Fresneda
According to MailOnline, Arsenal have upped the ante in their pursuit of Fresneda and matched the £13million offer put forward by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
The report suggests the right-back is set to make a decision on which club to join imminently, but any deal will involve him remaining with his current employers on loan until the end of the campaign.
Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor recently told GiveMeSport that he is expecting Arsenal to win the race for Fresneda’s services, while Valladolid are willing to do business for far less than the £25million release clause written into his contract.
The Gunners have been handed a boost in their pursuit of the 18-year-old as Real Madrid will not take advantage of an option which would see their former youth product return to the Bernabeu.
It seems that Newcastle United, who have also been in the hunt for Fresneda’s signature, are no longer in the running to conclude a deal.
What has Dean Jones said about Fresneda?
Jones understands that Arsenal sporting director Edu has got a deal lined up which will be attractive for Fresneda.
The respected journalist is aware that the north Londoners are optimistic of the teenage Spaniard snubbing Dortmund in their favour.
When asked whether Arsenal could be busy in the final stages of the window, Jones told GiveMeSport: “There’s potential. The battle for Fresneda is still ongoing.
“They’ve set up the deal in a manner that seems to be enticing for the player, especially at his age.
“They are hopeful that the path they are willing to offer him into their team is tempting enough for him to go for it.”
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
Who have Arsenal signed so far this month?
Arsenal’s latest signing came in the form of Jakub Kiwior, who joined from Spezia in a deal worth £20million, according to Sky Sports.
The 22-year-old defender has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and has already made 20 appearances so far this season.
Kiwior’s arrival came just a matter of days after Arsenal swooped in for Leandro Trossard, who left Brighton & Hove Albion in a switch worth up to £27million.
The Belgium international was desperate to seal his Amex Stadium exit after being left ‘humiliated’ by Seagulls chief Roberto De Zerbi.
Trossard wasted little time in making an impact in his surroundings, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp stating – via MailOnline – that his debut performance in the win over Manchester United last weekend emphasised he will be a ‘bargain’.
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