AC Milan interested in signing Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda

AC Milan are interested in signing Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda this summer, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Milan need a right-back, and the 18-year-old is their leading candidate to fill the role.

They signed Sergino Dest on loan from Barcelona, but he has not lived up to expectations.

The Serie A champions will not sign him permanently and let him return to his parent club.

Club captain Davide Calabria is the first-choice right-back, but they need a capable deputy.

Alessandro Florenzi has suffered several injuries, and the Rossoneri are not counting on him.

Fresneda is their chosen man after impressing in his debut season in La Liga.

The Madrid-born defender is solid at the back and athletic enough to get forward rapidly.

Fresneda has helped his side to three clean sheets in 18 league appearances. He has created three big chances and won 53% of his duels.

His performances have attracted the attention of several top European clubs.

Arsenal, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund have shown interest in the youngster.

Juventus tried and failed to sign him in the January transfer window.

Fresneda has a €30 million release clause, but Milan will want to drop that price. They are not the most financially buoyant club around.

This lack of disposable funds may give other clubs the edge over Milan in the race to sign the defender.

It is unclear whether Fresneda will move this summer or continue to develop in favourable surroundings.

Whatever happens, he will have an impressive and ambitious bunch of suitors.