Barcelona revive interest in 21-year-old Spanish defender with €80m release clause

Barcelona revive interest in 21-year-old Spanish defender with €80m release clause Barcelona made some smart signings during the summer transfer window and continue to be linked with potential reinforcements for the foreseeable future. The club have revived their interest in Sporting CP right-back Ivan Fresneda, three years after coming close to signing the Spaniard from Valladolid. Indeed, according to SPORT , Barça have made enquiries about Fresneda’s situation as Deco and Hansi Flick continue exploring ways to reshape the full-back positions. Any move could depend on departures, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde among the players whose situations could be reviewed in January. Deco returns to a familiar target Fresneda is hardly a new name at Barcelona. The Catalans followed both Fresneda and Marc Pubill in 2023 and offered Valladolid €6 million plus bonuses for the 21-year-old. Ivan Fresneda has re-emerged as an option for Barcelona. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) No agreement was reached, and Sporting eventually signed him for €9 million plus €3 million in variables. Deco ultimately considered Fresneda slightly too inexperienced for Barcelona’s immediate needs at the time. The club instead chose the more established Joao Cancelo on loan. Three years later, the situation looks different. Fresneda has developed considerably in Portugal, become part of Luis de la Fuente’s plans and established himself at Champions League level. Sporting contract situation could create opportunity Sporting rejected interest from Roma and Napoli during the summer, while Arsenal also enquired about Fresneda. His current release clause stands at €80 million, a figure Barcelona are highly unlikely to consider attractive. However, his contract expires in 2028 and Sporting have presented him with a renewal proposal. If an agreement cannot be reached, the Portuguese club could become more receptive to a sale. Barcelona can look to reinforce their right-back depth with Fresneda. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) That is where Barcelona’s interest becomes more realistic. Fresneda is seen as a genuine option, but a potential move would depend on the asking price. Why Fresneda makes sense for Flick From a sporting perspective, it is easy to understand Barça’s interest. Fresneda combines physical strength and defensive ability with the speed to attack space and contribute going forward. At 21, he would also fit Barcelona’s preference for recruiting players who can develop and come into their own in the coming years. Barcelona currently have Eric Garcia as their first-choice right-back, with Kounde providing back-up, but Fresneda could become a realistic option in the future. If he is available at a sensible price and Flick believes his profile improves the right side, it remains to be seen whether Deco pushes to sign the Spaniard.