Arsenal hold a serious interest in Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda, but they may prefer to wait until the summer unless Cedric Soares leaves this month.

GETAFE, SPAIN: Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid CF passes while under pressure from Gaston Alvarez of Getafe CF during the LaLiga Santander match between Getafe CF and Real Valladolid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on October 01, 2022. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
GETAFE, SPAIN: Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid CF passes while under pressure from Gaston Alvarez of Getafe CF during the LaLiga Santander match between Getafe CF and Real Valladolid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on October 01, 2022. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Sam Dean of The Telegraph reports that Arsenal have a serious interest in teenage right-back Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid, joining Newcastle United in the race for the defender.

The Gunners have made their admiration for the 18-year-old clear, with Valladolid admitting that he could leave this month, but The Telegraph add that Arsenal may prefer to wait until the summer.

That could change if Cedric Soares leaves this month, with the Arsenal right-back linked with Fulham but a deal stalling over his wage demands.

If Fulham reach a compromise with Cedric and he makes a January exit, the Gunners could then look to sign Fresneda, who could reportedly be available for around £10-15m.

The Telegraph’s report makes it clear that Arsenal’s pursuit of Fresneda isn’t in any way linked to their attempt to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk. Mikel Arteta and Edu will be looking at alternative forward targets, but this potential deal is separate from that.

VALLADOLID, SPAIN: Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid competes for the ball with Brian Ocampo of Cadiz CF during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Cadiz CF at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on September 16, 2022. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
VALLADOLID, SPAIN: Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid competes for the ball with Brian Ocampo of Cadiz CF during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Cadiz CF at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on September 16, 2022. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Reports this week revealed that Fresneda’s agent was in London this week, with the agent confirming as much on his social media pages.

As well as The Telegraph, Matteo Moretto also reported that Arsenal are still “very interested” in Fresneda. But it looks like we won’t see any further progress on a deal until the situation with Cedric is resolved.