After assessing Ivan Fresneda considerably in January, Arsenal could look to follow up on their interest in the defender this summer.

The Telegraph report that Arsenal put in “considerable legwork” assessing Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda in the January transfer window, with a view to potentially signing him in the summer.

The Gunners could now follow up on their interest, as they look to strengthen their defensive options for the new campaign of Champions League football.

Fresneda recently spoke about Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in an interview with The Athletic, admitting he likes the manager.

“I like Arteta a lot because I think he’s a great coach; I follow the European leagues and I think the work he’s doing with his club is fantastic,” Fresneda said.

In a previous interview with Marca, Fresneda insisted his primary goals remain succeeding with Real Valladolid and playing for Spain, but he doesn’t know what the summer holds.

“I want to succeed at Valladolid achieving their goals, and my biggest dream in the long term is playing with the national team,” Fresneda said then. “I don’t know what will happen with my future in the summer.”

Reports in February suggested that Arsenal will be joined by Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, and Juventus in the race for Fresneda this summer.

The defender will sit down with his representatives at the end of the season to make a decision on a potential move.

Fresneda has a release clause of £26.5m, and Valladolid are hoping to spark a bidding war to get close to that price.