Arsenal show interest in La Liga’s young talent Ivan Fresneda, with the Real Valladolid starlet aspiring to join one of the ‘best teams in the world’.

• Arsenal are targeting 18-year-old Real Valladolid star Ivan Fresneda, who has expressed his desire to play for one of the ‘best teams in the world’
• Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal are competing for the young talent who has impressed during his debut season in La Liga
• Real Valladolid are open to a transfer, with a potential return to Real Madrid also on the cards for Fresneda

Ivan Fresneda, the 18-year-old right-back from Real Valladolid, has caught the attention of top European clubs, including Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.

The youngster has made a significant impact in La Liga, playing a vital role in Valladolid’s bid to remain in the top tier of Spanish football, with his side currently in 14th place, five points above the drop zone.

Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on acquiring the young defender to boost his squad’s long-term options at right-back and the Real Valladolid starlet has already expressed his desire to play for one of the “best teams in the world” in a recent interview with The Athletic.

“I’m very young, I have to go step by step, not go backwards,” Fresneda said. “Being the age I am, you have to keep improving and I’m doing that at Valladolid.

“Everyone would like to go to the best teams in the world and that is one of my ambitions, of course.”

In the same interview, Fresneda revealed that he has been learning English and German during his free time ahead of a potential move this summer.

Born in Quijorna, a village of just over 3,000 people less than an hour from Madrid, Fresneda spent four years at Real Madrid’s academy before moving to Leganes and eventually joining Valladolid’s youth ranks in 2020.

Under the guidance of former Real Madrid and Arsenal striker Julio Baptista, Fresneda has developed into a promising talent, securing 17 appearances in LaLiga this season.

Real Valladolid’s sporting director, Fran Sanchez, has praised Fresneda for his maturity and technical abilities, stating that he is “a special player and technically gifted.” The youngster’s adaptability is one of his key strengths, having played as a forward and winger before settling into the right-back position.

Valladolid may be open to selling the player in the summer, with a release clause of €30 million ($33m; £27m) in his contract that runs until 2025. According to sources from Fresneda’s camp, his starting price could be around €20 million, with the list of interested clubs growing.

Despite the growing interest from top European clubs, Fresneda remains focused on his current club and his development as a player. The talented youngster is in no hurry to make a move and is keen to wait for the right opportunity to present itself.

“It’s not a subject I talked a lot about with colleagues,” Fresneda said about the interest in him during January’s window. “It was something that was taken very normally and we kept playing and kept enjoying it.

“I’m talking to you from the player’s perspective, not the board, the club or the fans, but it’s a good thing for Valladolid. You don’t do well if the team is not at a high level. As everyone knows, in the end there was no offer in the winter and I can’t tell you [how they would take a future sale at Valladolid].”

As Arsenal looks to strengthen its squad for the future, Ivan Fresneda could be a key addition to the team.

His ambition, adaptability, and technical skills make him an exciting prospect for the Gunners and their fans, who would add depth to their defence and help solidifying their position as a Premier League powerhouse.