Man Utd amplify ‘active interest’ in Arsenal target while paving way for West Ham to sign existing defender

Manchester United have joined the race for Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda and will be stepping up their interest ahead of the summer, according to a report.

Fresneda was on Arsenal’s radar during the January transfer window after being identified as a promising full-back. He has been making a name for himself in Spain thanks to his performances for Real Valladolid.

However, Arsenal’s attempts to add him to their table-topping squad this winter fell through. As TEAMtalk revealed shortly before the transfer deadline, Fresneda preferred to stay with Valladolid and help them fight against relegation from La Liga.

In the bigger picture, though, Fresneda could end up on a more prominent platform. Interest from Arsenal remains, per Football Insider, while Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are also keen.

But the report claims a new contender for Fresneda’s signature is Man Utd. In fact, they have an “active interest” in the right-back after scouting him in recent weeks.

Fresneda has played 12 times in all competitions for Valladolid so far this season. He has not featured since the January transfer window closed, though.

But Man Utd must be aware of what he has been doing on the pitch from before, since they are now among the contenders to take him away from Spain.

In turn, the chances of existing right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaving in the summer are increasing again.

Wan-Bissaka initially struggled to win over Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag, who preferred Diogo Dalot for the first half of the season. When Dalot has been unavailable, Wan-Bissaka has started to earn some gametime, but is still facing an uncertain future.

According to the report, West Ham remain interested in the former Crystal Palace full-back. Consequently, he could leave Man Utd for a fee in the region of £22million.

Ivan Fresneda to replace Wan-Bissaka in Man Utd squad

How much it will cost Man Utd to reinvest in Fresneda is not entirely clear at this moment in time.

Valladolid have the 18-year-old under contract until 2025. However, they might be able to cash in on their academy graduate for a decent fee before then.

There could be something of a bidding war for Fresneda, taking into account the number of clubs who like the look of him.

Man Utd will have to make sure they are as attractive a destination as possible, then, in order to win the race for the Madrid-born starlet.

Of course, playing in the Premier League would be a completely new experience for Fresneda. However, his potential is high and he has been showing what he can do in one of Europe’s other main leagues.

Therefore, he is a player to keep an eye on in the months and years to come. Man Utd are now hoping they can be a part of his future, so it seems.

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