Arsenal are interested in a deal to bring Iván Fresneda to The Emirates in the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

Transfer Focus

That's according to a report by Spanish publication AS (via Sport Witness), who claim that the Gunners have 'already moved' for the Real Valladolid right-back in order to get a headstart on what looks to be a 'frantic race' for the 18-year-old's signature in the winter market.

Indeed, the report goes on to state that a host of other unnamed Premier League clubs are also keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Spain U19 international ahead of potentially launching their own move for the defender in January, while Edu is believed to be 'already talking' with Valladolid regarding a deal that is 'around half' of his current €30m (£26m) release clause.

"Beastly ability"

With Fresneda very much looking to be 'one of the most promising young talents in European football' - as AS suggest - at present, it is not difficult to understand why Edu would be interested in a deal to bring the teenager to north London in January, as the full-back undoubtedly possess the potential to quickly become worth a great deal more than his current £26m clause.

Indeed, over his six LaLiga appearances so far this season, the £2.5m-rated wonderkid has been a rock on the right of Pacheta's backline, helping his side keep one clean sheet, in addition to making an average of 2.5 tackles - the 12th-most in the league - 1.3 interceptions, 2.8 clearances and winning 3.8 duels - at a success rate of 55% - per game.

The £2.6k-per-week talent has also excelled when going forwards, having already created two big chances for his Valladolid teammates, as well as making an average of 1.5 key passes, finding his man with 0.5 crosses and completing 29.7 total passes - at a success rate of 82% - per fixture.

These returns have seen the defender average a simply sensational Sofascore match rating of 7.02, currently ranking him as Valladolid's second-best performer in the top flight of Spanish football - a quite remarkable feat considering the right-back only turned 18 years of age back in September.

Quite understandably, Fresneda's performances have earned the Spanish youth international a considerable amount of praise, none more so than from journalist and podcaster Juan Arroita, who said of the teenager in a post on Twitter earlier this season:

"Iván Fresneda has a beastly ability to take measured crosses from the right-handed lane. How good does the boy look? 17 years old..."

As such, it would appear highly advisable for Edu to do everything in his power to fight off the fierce competition and win the race for Fresneda's signature this winter, as the Valladolid starlet would not only appear to be a real diamond for the future, but he could quite easily also go on to play a key role on the right of Arsenal's backline in the current campaign.