Barcelona and Chelsea are reportedly losing the race to sign 18-year-old Real Valladolid whizkid Ivan Fresneda to Sporting CP.
According to a report by Portuguese outlet Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, Ivan Fresneda is the subject of interest from Sporting CP. And the Portuguese giants are leading the race to sign the 18-year-old Real Valladolid sensation, leaving Barcelona and Chelsea on the wayside in the process.
Ivan Fresneda has emerged as one of the brightest young prospects in his homeland following his breakthrough campaign in La Liga. The Spaniard was a regular for Real Valladolid in the 2022/23 season. And while the White and Violets went down to the Segunda Division after a forgettable campaign, he was a rare bright spark.
The 18-year-old turned out 22 times in La Liga and twice in Copa del Rey in the 2022/23 season. But he will unlikely play another game for Real Valladolid, with his performances attracting several high-profile clubs. And Barcelona, Chelsea, and Sporting CP have all shown interest in Fresneda in the ongoing transfer window.
The Spanish whizkid has been on Barcelona’s radar for several months. And widespread reports had suggested that his head turned when the Blaugrana showed interest in him. But talks between Barcelona and Real Valladolid have gone nowhere. And recent reports have discussed a possible abandonment of the chase from the Catalan club.
Those updates came as a boost for Chelsea, with Stamford Bridge recently emerging as a possible destination. And outlets have pointed to Chelsea being the best-placed club to land the 18-year-old Spaniard. But the Blues’ interest in the player has been surprising, considering the presence of Reece James and Malo Gusto in the squad.
It has now emerged that Barcelona and Chelsea are behind Sporting CP in the chase. And Record has added that the West London club might even be out of the race. Meanwhile, Sporting’s interest in the player is understandable, considering they parted ways with Pedro Porro in January.
With Sporting becoming the clear front-runner, Barcelona and Chelsea only have a slim chance of landing the 18-year-old Spaniard. And it will be interesting to see if Fresneda continues his adventure as a senior footballer with the Portuguese giants.
