Top Arsenal target ‘set to stay’ at club ahead of ‘big summer move’ despite £13.1m ‘agreement’

Jason Soutar
Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda holds off an opponent

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal will not be signing Real Valladolid wonderkid Ivan Fresneda this month.

It was reported last Monday that Fresneda would decide between the Premier League leaders and Borussia Dortmund later that day.

Both clubs had agreed a £13.1million fee with the La Liga outfit, with the 18-year-old expected to stay in Spain until the end of the season, as per Guillermo Rai.

A move to either Dortmund or Arsenal would have been very appealing for Fresneda, with plenty of first-team opportunities likely to come at either club.

The teenager has impressed for Valladolid this term but missed Sunday’s 1-0 win over Valencia amidst interest from elsewhere.

Arsenal are definitely prioritising the signing of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and have seen two big-money bids rebuffed by the Seagulls.

And in another blow to the Gunners, they are unlikely to sign Fresneda before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, according to Romano.

Romano believes Fresneda will stay at Valladolid, barring ‘twists in the final hours’ of the window.

Despite reports of a fee being agreed, the transfer expert insists ‘a deal was never done’, with the player ‘expected’ to stay.

However, the ‘next step’ for Fresneda is a move to a ‘top club in the summer’.

A summer transfer could prove to be trickier for Arsenal and Dortmund with more time on the clock.

It would not be surprising to see the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona throw their hat in the ring for a player who is very highly rated in Spain.

With a move for Fresneda off, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal still allow Cedric Soares to leave the club.

The Portuguese right-back is reportedly close to joining Fulham on loan until the end of the season.

The deal will probably be finalised as there were reports that Mikel Arteta was willing to let Fresneda stay at Vallodolid until the summer.

Sky Sports reckon the Cedric loan will be finalised before the transfer deadline.

The Portuguese defender is one of few players in the Arsenal squad with a lot of experience.

At the age of 31, Cedric has been out of favour this term with Benjamin White thriving in right-back.

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