Arsenal Abandons ‘Very Close’ Transfer Plan as Arteta Pursues £38m Alternative
Arsenal reportedly chose Jurrien Timber over Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda because they desired to recruit a “established” player.
During the transfer window in January, the Gunners were widely linked to Fresneda. This occurred after the 18-year-old’s breakthrough season for the La Liga club in 2022/23.
The right-back appeared in 26 games for Real Valladolid last season, and he was also scouted by Borussia Dortmund earlier this year.
Prior to this summer, Arsenal decided to move on from Fresneda in favor of erstwhile Manchester United target Timber.
The Netherlands international was anticipated to sign with Manchester United or Liverpool this summer, but Arsenal beat out their Premier League rivals to secure his services.
Charles Watts, the Arsenal correspondent for TEAMtalk, has revealed that Arsenal chose Timber because he is “established on the world stage.”
Watts told TEAMtalk that Fresneda was close to signing in January, but the team decided against it. “He and his representatives determined that it would be best for him to finish the season in Spain. It was placed aside.”
“At one stage I thought it was probably going to happen. And this summer, they’ve just moved on to other targets.
“I think they’ve probably looked at the fact that they are in the Champions League, they need to really compete next season. He is a talented young, teenage full-back; what they need is someone who’s slightly older, like Timber, who’s established himself on the world stage.
“They need to have a squad capable of competing for the Premier League and Champions League.”
As he demonstrated this week against MLS All Stars in a friendly, Watts believes Timber impressed.
“exactly why Arsenal looked to get him”.
“Timber came on was very impressive in his first showing against the All Stars on Wednesday night,” Watts added.
“He gave a real demonstration in about half-an-hour of exactly why Arsenal have looked to get him – in terms of what he’s going to bring, not just to the right-hand side, but the central areas of the pitch as well.
“Timber was just more established and going to improve the squad straight away whereas the Fresneda signing would be a little bit of a project, which Arsenal do sometimes, but this time they’ve opted for the slightly more experienced version.”
Arsenal Abandons ‘Very Close’ Transfer Plan as Arteta Pursues £38m Alternative
