Arsenal sporting director Edu appears to be already plotting to strengthen in the summer window, amid reports that the Gunners are eyeing a deal for Real Valladolid sensation, Ivan Fresneda.

What's the latest on Fresneda to Arsenal?

According to the Evening Standard, the north Londoners are currently part of a 'four-way fight' to land the 18-year-old this summer, with Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Juventus also currently in the running for the Spaniard's signature.

The report suggests that Edu and co have been 'scouting' the teenager in recent times and will continue to keep a close eye on his progress between now and the end of the season, while the player himself - who is said to have a £26.5m release clause in his existing deal - is set to 'assess' his options once the current campaign is over.

This follows previous reports during the January window that claimed both Arsenal and Dortmund had reached an agreement with the right-back for a fee of around £13m, albeit with no move ultimately coming to fruition as the youngster opted to stay put with the La Liga side.

Could Fresneda be the next Trippier?

That scramble for Fresneda's services has not been without merit, with the 6-foot starlet having enjoyed a promising start to life at senior level thus far, despite having made just 14 first-team appearances for his current side to date.

Even with that relative inexperience, the exciting full-back has clearly caught the eye of clubs across Europe, having been branded "remarkably complete" by Spanish football expert Matt Clark earlier this season.

Also lauded by Clark for having shackled Real Madrid dynamo Vinicius Jr. back in December - making eight tackles and winning ten duels in that 2-0 defeat - the Spain U19 international is evidently making a big impression, with those back at the Emirates likely to be desperate to get a deal over the line.

Any potential fears that Mikel Arteta's side may have over the teen's ability to adapt to life in the Premier League can well be eased by the defender's apparent likeness to Newcastle star, Kieran Trippier, with the two men seemingly able to flourish at both ends of the pitch.

That comparison is best illustrated by the duo's defensive strength as Fresneda has averaged 2.9 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game from his ten league outings this season, while Trippier has averaged two tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game - albeit while having made 23 top-flight appearances.

Equally, the latter man is clearly a real threat in an attacking sense as he ranks second in the division for big chances created (18) - behind only Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (24) - while young Fresneda has been lauded for his "beastly ability" to provide quality service from the flanks, as per journalist Juan Arroita.

To be able to land their own version of the Magpies machine would represent a true masterstroke for the Gunners, with the Englishman having been a "revelation" in recent times at St James' Park, in the words of talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan.

The 32-year-old has been instrumental in helping to steer Eddie Howe's men into the mix for Champions League qualification, with his average match rating of 7.83 the highest of any player in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore.

As such, to have found a potential Trippier 2.0 in the form of Fresneda would certainly help to bolster Arteta's squad for next season, particularly with the Spaniard currently deploying Ben White in something of a makeshift role at full-back.

There will, clearly, be a real battle to be able to snap up the Valladolid gem, although if Edu can strike a deal he could well be able to land a possible long-term fit at right-back who can nail down that role for years to come.