Barcelona have been very active in the transfer market so far this summer, having already signed Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez and Oriol Romeu, with a deal for Vitor Roque to join in 2024 having also been finalised.
The reigning LaLiga champions are looking to make further additions, with two positions in particular being focused on: right-back and centre midfield.
The former appears to be more of a priority for Barcelona at this stage, and with good reason. It is an area that has been a problem for several years, ever since Dani Alves departed the club for the first time back in 2016.
Barcelona appear to have settled on a particular strategy for their right-back search: a long-term option. They want someone to make the position their own for the next 10+ years, but also someone that can make an impact on the first team immediately.
Ivan Fresneda certainly fits this criteria, and Barcelona have re-ignited their interest in the 18-year-old, who had an impressive debut season with Real Valladolid in 2022-23, although he was unable to help them avoid relegation from LaLiga.
Barcelona cannot afford to pay Fresneda’s €20m release clause, but Sport have reported that they are looking into different ways of being able to sign the teenager, with a lower fee plus add-ons a likely possibility.
Barcelona are looking to open talks with Real Valladolid over the next few weeks in order to sort out a deal. Fresneda is keen to join – especially so considering he has turned down other offers in the hope of heading to Catalonia – so personal terms won’t be an issue.
If Barcelona can pull a deal off, it would be a magnificent piece of business. Fresneda showed plenty of promise during his first season in senior football, and at Barcelona, he
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