Arsenal are targeting Real Valladolid centre-back Fernando Calero to strengthen their defensive options in January, according to reports in Spain.

The Gunners won’t be the only team after the 23-year-old, however, with Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund also reportedly keen.

Calero is being lined up by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as a replacement for Rob Holding with the defender ruled out for six to nine months with a knee injury.

With captain Laurent Koscielny also only having just returned from a long absence, a move for another defender next month would make a lot of sense.

Emery has used three at the back regularly in recent weeks but he had to field fullback Stephan Lichtsteiner at centre-half in the 1-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday. That experiment lasted 45 minutes before the system was changed.

Calero would add to the Gunners’ centre-back options but he’s also available relatively cheaply. The Spaniard reportedly has a €11m (£9m) release clause.