Real Madrid have identified their right-back target this summer.
And it could hand Arsenal a huge advantage in their own pursuit of a player in that position.
According to The Athletic, Madrid have made Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries their priority at right-back, with personal terms not expected to be an issue and a €20m release clause making the deal relatively straightforward.
Incoming head coach Jose Mourinho has been focused on strengthening the defence, and has even reportedly made contact with Riccardo Calafiori’s camp.
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Dumfries, at 30, fits the profile of an experienced, ready-made option to compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
For Arsenal, that opens the door for Ivan Fresneda.
The 21-year-old Sporting CP right-back had been linked with both clubs, and now appears to be available without the lure of his hometown club sniffing around.
Fresneda has a £69m release clause, but Andrea Berta will be determined to negotiate a much lower figure. A proposal around €30million could be enough to open serious discussions.
Sporting will be keen to make a decision on Fresneda this summer, whose contract runs until 2028.
Why Ivan Fresneda makes so much sense for Arsenal
Arsenal’s interest in Fresneda is not new. The Gunners have tracked him since January 2023, when he was still at Real Valladolid, before he subsequently joined Sporting and won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles.
Mikel Arteta got a close first-hand look at Fresneda during the Champions League quarter-final tie against Sporting this season.
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He played the full match in Lisbon before injury ruled him out of the return leg in London. But the recruitment team clearly still came away with very positive impressions.
Ben White is expected to leave this summer, and Arteta wants fresh competition for Jurrien Timber at right-back.
Tino Livramento is another name being considered, with his injury record being the only lingering question mark.
Fresneda offers a suitable alternative should the Gunners have doubts about the Newcastle man.
The Spaniard is similarly proficient technically, slightly younger, and already familiar with winning.
Dumfries heading to Madrid clears the path for it to happen.
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