AC Milan interested in signing Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda

AC Milan are interested in signing Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda this summer, according to Gianluca DiMarzio.

The Rossoneri are already preparing for next summer and are identifying targets and market opportunities.

Fresneda is a target for Milan, and manager Stefano Pioli has given the higher-ups his okay to pursue the player.

Milan need a right-back, and the 18-year-old is their leading candidate to fill the role.

Milan signed Sergino Dest as cover for the position on loan from Barcelona. But the American international has not delivered up to the standard required.

When he has played, he has looked lost in defence and attack. The Serie A champions will not sign him permanently and let him return to his parent club.

Club captain and right-back Davide Calabria is the first-choice right-back, but they need a capable deputy.

Alessandro Florenzi has suffered several injuries, and the Rossoneri are not counting on him.

Fresneda is their chosen man after impressing in his debut season in Spain’s top flight.

The Madrid-born defender is solid at the back and athletic enough to get forward rapidly.

Fresneda has helped his side to three clean sheets in 18 league appearances. He has created three big chances and won 53% of his duels.

Unsurprisingly, Fresneda’s performances have attracted the attention of several top European clubs.

Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Borussia Dortmund have shown interest in the youngster. They would like to add him to their squad like Milan.

Also, Juventus tried and failed to sign him in the January transfer window.

Fresneda has a €30 million release clause, but Milan will want to try to drop that price. They are not the most financially buoyant club around.

This lack of disposable funds might give other clubs the edge over Milan in the right-back’s pursuit.

It is unclear whether Fresneda will make the big move now or continue to develop in favourable surroundings.

Whatever happens, he will have an impressive and ambitious bunch of suitors.