Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing 18-year-old Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda, a target for Arsenal.
A report from ESPN claims that Ivan Fresneda is in talks to join Barcelona. But the Blaugrana can only complete the transfer if they manage to free up some space in their wage bill. The 18-year-old has a release clause worth €20 million and is also a target for Arsenal.
Barcelona are hoping to add more quality and depth to their defence,, and the 18-year-old should prove to be a quality long-term acquisition. Fresneda is highly rated around Europe, and he is thought to be a target for clubs like Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund as well.
Apparently, the defender has a €20 million release clause in his contract. But Barcelona are hoping to sign him for half of that amount. It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can come to an agreement soon. Fresneda is undoubtedly a prodigious young talent with a bright future ahead of him, and a move to Barcelona could be ideal for his development.
The Catalan giants are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they have a proven track record of nurturing talented young players into established stars. They could help the 18-year-old develop into a quality defender in the coming seasons as well.
It remains to be seen whether clubs like Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund try and hijack the move. Both clubs need to add more quality and depth in the right-back department. And Fresneda would be a quality acquisition.
Arsenal used Ben White as the right-back last season. But the Englishman is a central defender. Signing Fresneda would give them a more specialist option to work with. The 18-year-old has the potential to be a key player for Barcelona in the coming seasons, and signing him below his release clause could prove to be a masterstroke in the long run.
The 18-year-old could sort out Barcelona’s right-back position for the foreseeable future. Barcelona are going through financial difficulties right now and should look to snap up bargains in the transfer market in order to beef up their squad this summer. They have already signed Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez for free, and Fresneda would be another quality acquisition for a modest outlay.
