Arsenal have reportedly ‘registered their interest‘ with Real Valladolid for their defender, Fernando Calero.

With the January transfer window fast approaching and Arsenal running out of defenders even faster, there is the expectation that the club will move for a defender next month.

23-year-old Fernando Calero has caught the eye of several top European clubs this season, including the Gunners who have also been attracted by his reported €11m release clause. At this point, however, it should be noted a release clause has not been confirmed.

Calero’s contract runs until 2021 after he signed a five-year deal when he signed on a free from Atletico Malagueno in the summer of 2017.

A centreback who can play left or right, the right-footed Spaniard struggles in the air so that’s something he’d certainly need to work on if he arrived at Arsenal.

Unlike many others we’ve seen play back there for Arsenal over recent times, however, Calero doesn’t struggle with concentration throughout a game and his ability to position himself in order to block shots is very good.

At this point, it’s hard to know what the club are planning.

As I’ve mentioned before, we were all so aware of how Wenger and co. operated that we knew what to expect. Under Emery, Mislintat, and Sanllehi we simply don’t.

Arsenal weren’t expected to buy anyone in this window until Danny Welbeck’s leg break. Now they find themselves also looking for a centreback earlier than expected as well after Rob Holding’s ACL injury.

If you missed it on Monday, we have a comprehensive video explaining Holding’s injury, surgery, prognosis and likely problems that is well worth your time.