Fresneda transfer pursuit reignited as £105m Rice deal labelled a 'bargain'

All the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip including updates on Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber

Here is your morning Arsenal digest on Sunday, July 9.

Fresneda update

Arsenal had been heavily linked with a move for young Real Valladolid fullback Ivan Fresneda in recent months, although talk of a potential move has died down since the Gunners' pursuit of Jurrien Timber.

Still, Spanish outlet MD have reported that the Gunners have recently leapfrogged Barcelona in the race to sign the talented teenager It is claimed that AC Milan and Juventus are also keen on signing Fresneda, who has a €20million (£17million) release clause in his Valladolid contract.

Rice claim

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has claimed that the Gunners' deal to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice is still a bargain despite the huge £105million fee.

"A bargain," Petit told SportsJoe when asked about the transfer. "You can see the quality he has already at such a young age and his experience. He's got leadership qualities too and that winning mentality.

"Leadership is something that has been missing for a lot of years at Arsenal... but I think that Declan Rice is a captain on and off the pitch. The way Declan wants to play, and the way Arteta wants his team to play, I think they will fit perfectly together."

Timber backed

Dutch footballing hero Jaap Stam has backed Jurrien Timber to be a major success with Arsenal once his transfer from Ajax is finalised.

"He’s a very good player that we all like in Holland," Stam told charleswatts.football when asked about his compatriot. "So for him, making that step to Arsenal is a very positive one.

"And when I look at Arsenal, I see a team where all the players are very comfortable and very dominant on the