ARSENAL are reportedly on the verge of snapping up defender Ivan Fresneda.
The Spanish wonderkid has caught the eye of several teams across Europe this season with a string of impressive displays for Real Valladolid.
Champions-League-chasing Newcastle are one of the teams said to be interested in signing the 18-year-old defender.
But according to reports, Fresneda has opted to join the Gunners.
That’s according to ElDesmarque, who claim Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has “personally convinced” the teenager to move to London.
If Arsenal have indeed reached an agreement for Fresneda’s services, they will have not only pipped Newcastle to his signature.
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
Spanish big boys Real Madrid were also interested in signing him this month.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti was said to have been impressed by Fresneda’s displays in LaLiga this season, so much so he wanted to bolster his options on the right side of defence by signing him.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Fresneda was given the green light this week when Valladolid chief David Espinar revealed the club would be willing to sell the defender.
He said: “No firm offer has arrived for Fresneda, but there is a lot of interest.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“The club has set a squad cost limit in the summer.
“We are going to try to reinforce the squad and we are aware that there are players who will leave.
“We don’t have to sell any player to survive, but, in the football industry, everyone has to do it.
“It serves to strengthen squads and gives opportunities to people who want to improve or seek another destination.”
The seemingly imminent signing of Fresenda is the second of two deals the Gunners have reached in the last 24 hours.
The Premier League leaders are closing in on the signing of Polish defender Jakub Kiwior from Serie A side Spezia.
The Gunners are set to fork out just shy of £18million to sign the Poland international, who is set to undergo a medical in the coming days.
Arsenal will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, welcoming Manchester United to the Emirates.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
