Sports

Arsenal centre-back target Fernando Calero spotted in London amid transfer links

221

The Spanish centre-back has enjoyed a rapid rise (Picture: Getty)

Fernando Calero has got Arsenal fans very excited by revealing that he is in London amid rumours that he could make a cut-price £10million move to the Emirates.

Unai Emery is in the market for a new centre-back after Rob Holdings season was ended prematurely through injury, while Laurent Koscielny is still working his way back after tearing his Achilles in May.

If we can take one player to help us at centre-back, I think its a good option, Emery confirmed earlier this month. But a transfer is not easy.

More: Football

Real Valladolid centre-back Calero is believed to be top of their list, while his release clause of just €11m (£10m) has already attracted interest from clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla.

Advertisement Advertisement

And the 23-year-old fanned the flames of speculation further on Sunday night by posting an image on Instagram from London Waterloo.

The centre-back is in London for Christmas… and maybe beyond that too? (Picture: Instagram/@fcalero5)

Arsenal have been forced to play Granit Xhaka at centre-back in recent weeks due to their defensive crisis, but Calero would ease their problems considerably.

Although he only made his professional debut a year ago, his performances for Valladolid have been very good, playing every single minute as the team sit in 12th place – just four points off European qualification.

Valladolid have conceded as many goals as Barcelona and Real Madrid (Getty)

Only five teams in La Liga have conceded fewer goals than Valladolid, though their form has tailed off more recently.

Calero is reportedly wary of leaving mid-way through the season, especially for a cut-price fee below his true value, and any suitor will likely need to stump up in excess of the £10m release clause in order to convince him to leave.