ARSENAL have suffered a major setback in their search for Real Valladolid prospect Ivan Fresneda.
The Spanish defender has been a long-term target for the Gunners but may be on the move elsewhere during the summer move window.
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly in talks with the LaLiga club, which would see Fresneda with Bundesliga giants.
The club is set to pay up to £17 million and reports in Germany claim Dortmund could announce the signing “soon”.
While Fabrizio Romano reported that the clubs are still in negotiations and that “there is no agreement” for the defender.
Mikel Arteta enjoyed the 18-year-old right-back January’s move window as he looked to strengthen his team for the title.
But any hope of a deal was dashed when Valladolid imposed a £35 million value on the much-loved young Spanish international.
It is now believed that the LaLiga side may be in a position to sell only part of that initial assessment, which may open the door for Arsenal to make a formal offer.
Arsenal’s scouts are keeping Fresneda in mind, but he remains a relative signing who has only made 26 appearances for Valladolid after being released from Real Madrid’s youth system at the age of 14.
It suits Emirates’ profile to recruit hungry young players with the prospect of building their market value.
And at around £17m, it would be compatible with Arteta’s budget as he moves towards his duties ahead of the club’s return to the Champions League next season.
Ben White scored good fortune when he moved to the centre-half of right-back early last season, but Arteta is confident his long-term career is far away.
Takehiro Tomiyasu spent most of last season as White’s replacement until he suffered a serious knee injury in the Europa League loss to Sporting Lisbon in March.
The foreigner from Japan is still recovering from surgery and will have compatibility for the first months of the new season.
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