Contrary to reports, Arsenal have not made an offer to sign Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, says Fabrizio Romano.

Fresneda was signed by Valladolid in 2020 when he was only 15 years old.

He has already made 26 appearances for the Spanish outfit and established himself as their first-choice right-back this season.

The 18-year-old was linked with a move to Arsenal, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window, but a move failed to materialise.

Arsenal probably could have done with the extra depth in right-back following the injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba, though this is all said with the benefit of hindsight.

It has been reported by German publication BILD that the Gunners have made a ‘lucrative offer’ to sign Fresneda, while Dortmund remain interested.

While Mikel Arteta is expected to sign a new defender in the summer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said there is no offer on the table to sign the Spanish teenager, who is under contract until 2025.

Romano claims Arsenal ‘appreciate’ Fresneda and the ‘race remains open’ ahead of the summer window.

The Italian journalist wrote on Twitter: ‘Arsenal appreciate Ivan Fresneda since January but told they have NOT sent any official proposal, despite reports.

‘No concrete negotiation at this stage, race remains open — with Borussia Dortmund interested.’

Arsenal should be very busy in the summer transfer window as Arteta looks to build on their second-place finish in the Premier League.

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is the Gunners’ number-one target, but Bayern Munich have now entered the race.

Like with Fresneda, the race to sign Rice remains open, Romano has also claimed.

Chelsea are long-time admirers of the England international but are no longer leading the pack, especially after they missed out on European football.

Speaking last December, Rice emphasised his desire to play in the Champions League.

He said: “I see my friends who play in the Champions League, winning the big trophies. You only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look at what you’ve won.”

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