Arsenal in four-way battle with Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Newcastle United to sign Ivan Fresneda - Paper Round
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Updated 23/02/2023 at 08:35 GMT
Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Newcastle United are set for a transfer tug-of-war to convince Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda to join them this summer. Elsewhere, Jordan Pickford will sign a contract extension at Everton, Sergino Dest will return to Barcelona after a failed loan spell at AC Milan and Graham Potter held crisis talks with his Chelsea staff to address their form.
'We have to play even better' says Varane ahead of second leg against Barca
Europe's top clubs chase Spanish wonderkid
Arsenal are ready to reignite their pursuit of Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda this summer after being forced to turn to alternative targets in the winter transfer window. The Gunners ended up signing Leandro Trossard and Jorginho in January, while Fresneda stayed in Spain. The Gunners are planning to sign the 18-year-old ahead of next season, but now face fierce competition from three of Europe's top clubs.
The Standard reveal: "Clubs from across Europe have been impressed by his development but Arsenal, Dortmund, Juventus and Newcastle are currently the four frontrunners.
"Fresneda has a release clause of £26.5million in his contract and Valladolid will hope to spark a bidding war which means they can get close to that amount.
"Arsenal have been scouting Fresneda and will continue to monitor him for the rest of the season."
Pickford plans Everton extension
Jordan Pickford is edging towards an agreement to sign a new contract with Everton. The England international had been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in recent months due to the uncertainty over his long-term future at Goodison Park. Pickford's current contract is set to expire in 2024, so a new deal will end any rumours around a transfer away from Everton.
The Times report: "Negotiations with the England No 1 have been taking place for several months and there has been significant progress to leave Everton optimistic that they can retain the 28-year-old.
"Despite Everton’s precarious position in the Premier League and a second successive season of struggle, Pickford has always been keen on staying.
"Discussions have proved to be stop-start but Everton are now confident of keeping the player, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur."
Dest to return to Barca
Sergino Dest will return to Barcelona at the end of the season following a disastrous loan spell at AC Milan. The 22-year-old has only started four matches since joining on loan back in September and it is expected that Milan will not even consider activating their €20 million option-to-buy clause.
Spanish media outlet Sport report: "Dest was loaned to Milan with an option to buy for €20 million. There are two arguments that lead Milan to not want to continue betting on the full-back: On the one hand, the high salary of the player compromises the salary limit of the team and, on the other hand, his performances.
"Dest will have to return to Barcelona at the end of the season while waiting to find a solution for his future. The club hope to recoup most of the investment and would accept an offer of around €15m."
Potter holds emergency meeting with staff
Chelsea manager Graham Potter held a meeting with his coaching staff at the club training ground in Cobham on Tuesday. The former Brighton boss is keen to end the Blues' slump in form, so held a "strategy meeting" to discuss ideas ahead of the London derby at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Standard reveal: "Talks were called at the club’s Cobham training ground after co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali gave their support to Potter and told senior staff to stick together after a calamitous few weeks.
"In what has been described by sources as a strategy meeting”, discussions among the football operation at Chelsea centered around how to change course.
"Potter and senior first-team staff in the room were united in a bid to resolve the issues at the club, including the low confidence and morale of the squad."
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