Barcelona have been linked with a move for Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda but are set to abandon his pursuit.
A report from Spanish publication SPORT claims that Barcelona could now walk away from their pursuit of Ivan Fresneda. The 18-year-old has been linked with a move to Chelsea as well, and it will be interesting to see if the Premier League giants can pull off the transfer.
Barcelona wanted to bring in quality reinforcements in the right-back department, especially as they look to let Sergino Dest leave the club. Fresneda would have been a quality long-term acquisition and had his head turned by the interest. But it seems that the Spanish outfit have now turned their attention towards Joao Cancelo.
They have already secured an agreement in principle to sign Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, and he should prove to be a quality acquisition. The 29-year-old is a more experienced player who knows what it takes to play for big clubs and compete for major trophies.
Fresneda would have been a solid long-term investment. But it seems that Barcelona are looking to sign players who can make an immediate impact and help them win major trophies.
Barcelona’s decision will certainly come as a major boost for Chelsea who are looking to sign him this summer. The Blues need to add more depth to their defensive department, especially with Reece James picking up frequent injuries.
The 18-year-old defender wants to sort out his future soon, and it remains to be seen whether the Blues can secure an agreement with his club. For now, Chelsea should be the best-placed club to land the teenage prodigy.
The Spaniard reportedly has a €20 million release clause in his contract, and he could prove to be a bargain at that price. Someone like Mauricio Pochettino could get the best out of the player in the coming seasons and help him develop into a top-class player.
As far as Barcelona are concerned, one can only hope that they do not regret their decision to walk away from the Spanish youngster. Fresneda is rated highly around Europe and is a prodigious talent. He could develop into a top class full-back with the right coaching and experience.
