05 June 2023 , 23:00
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Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Ivan Fresneda, with Real Valladolid's relegation from LaLiga set to halve his release clause.
The 18-year-old has impressed for Valladolid this season, making a total of 22 LaLiga appearances this season. His performances have attracted interest from several clubs, but Valladolid refused to sell him in January as they battled against relegation while Fresneda was keen to continue playing regular first-team football.
However, Valladolid could only manage a 0-0 draw against Getafe in their final game of the season meaning they were relegated by a solitary point as Almeria drew 3-3 with Espanyol.
As a result, Fresneda is expected to leave the Ronaldo-owned club this summer, with Spanish outlet Relevo stating that Valladolid's relegation has halved the teenager's release clause. The report states that Fresneda's initial release clause was €40m (£34.4m), but it has now dropped to €20m (£17.2m).
It adds that Arsenal are still interested in bringing him to the Emirates, along with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund. Back in January, Fresneda's agent Luis Bardaji told AS : "There have been around 30 teams interested.
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"But the truth is that he has hardly aroused interest in Spanish football, but in Germany, France or England there has been interest. Some because they had a specific need in this market and others with a vision of the future, but times are what they are.
Arsenal are interested in Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda (Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)"Fresneda will be at Real Valladolid until the end of the season. We want him to have his feet on the ground and in other teams he was not going to have the continuity he needs now."
The player himself has previously spoke of his admiration for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, hailing the "fantastic" work he has done with the Gunners. In an interview with The Athletic back in April, Fresneda said: "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. But now with [Real Valladolid manager] Pezzolano and before with [previous manager] Pacheta we do that style of play, and that style is the one I like the most."