'Arsenal could accelerate move for long-term target 'misused' by Ruben Amorim: report'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sat smiling. — Arsenal face another battle against Manchester City this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal are looking to build on their strongest season yet under Mikel Arteta with a busy transfer window this summer.

Arsenal prevailed as Premier League champions at the fourth time of asking under the Spaniard, and made it to an rare Champions League final.

Unfortunately for Arteta's men, PSG prevailed in Europe, however, a strong summer transfer window is looming for the Gunners, now weighing up a move for one of a full-back misused by ex-Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Arsenal weigh up the move for an exciting European full-back, rivalling Manchester City and Newcastle for his signature

Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid looks on during the La Liga match between Real Mallorca and Real Valladolid at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on 7 January, 2023 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. — Ivan Fresneda is the man on Arsenal and Manchester City's radar. (Image credit: Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

According to a report from Sport Witness, Arsenal are weighing up a move for Ivan Fresneda, one of Europe's most sought after full-backs.

The Spaniard rose to prominence at Real Valladolid in La Liga, before making the move to Sporting Lisbon in 2023.

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Fresneda's release clause currently sits at €80 million, with the Primeira Liga side deeming him untouchable.

Despite this, the 21-year-old, a long-term target of Arsenal's and more recently Newcastle, is attracting enough potential suitors to possibly soften Sporting Lisbon's stance.

Fresneda struggled to excel during the managerial tenure of Ruben Amorim, making just 10 appearances during his debut season in 2023.

The arrival of Rui Borges prevented a quick departure to Como, who saw something in the young talent that ex-Manchester United boss Amorim did not, making tactical changes and aiding Fresneda in developing his mentality.

Fresneda was a standout player for Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League this season, particularly against eventual winners PSG.

Ivan Fresneda of Sporting controls the ball during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting Braga and Sporting CP at Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 3, 2023 in Braga, Portugal. — Fresneda was misused by Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, but he's since became a standout player for the Primeira Liga side. (Image credit: Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

The 21-year-old covered 11km and recorded nine defensive contributions in a 2-1 win over the the two-time champions.

While it would appear silly to suggest that Arteta could have been swayed by that performance in particular when looking back at the 2025/26 season, it remains possible.

PSG look to be the dominant European force for years to come, and if Arteta is to break Arsenal's Champions League curse, then perhaps a strong move for a player who knows how to beat the French champions and is also being pursued by the Gunners' biggest domestic rivals makes too much sense to pass up.

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Kedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC, he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television, you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.