Man United join race for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 16 Feb 2023 14:49 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are now in the race for Ivan Fresneda.

FootballInsider reports that, after the player’s Arsenal deal collapsed during the winter window, the Red Devils are hoping to buy the right-back and an offer of €24m could be accepted.

The Real Valladolid right-back was linked with a move to the Gunners, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, while Newcastle were interested and even touched base with the player's reps, as FootballTransfers reported last month.

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Nothing materialised in the end and the 18-year-old remained in Spain.

Reports now state that Man Utd have sent scouts to track the Spaniard. It is thought that Fresneda could be the replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka for next season.

As reported elsewhere, the chief scout of Newcastle, Steve Nixon, watched Fresneda when he played for Real Valladolid against Real Madrid in December. But now it seems that Man United have sent reps to watch the player as well.

Earlier this year, Valladolid boss Jose Rojo Martin opened up about the future of Fresneda. He said: “I think Fresneda has few games left with the Real Valladolid shirt. He is 18 years old, but he does things that people of 30 do.

“If I was at another club, I would go for him without hesitation, his data is brutal and you are not buying the current player, you are buying what he can become in a few years.”

It turned out that the teenager stayed with his club - but is an expectancy, given the number of clubs looking at him, that he may not be there for long.

Man Utd outgoings

Man United will likely offload Wan-Bissaka and they value their right-back at around €25m.

Meanwhile, Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou is reportedly liked by the club. Erik ten Hag is expected to bring in a goalkeeper in the summer as Jack Butland is only on loan until the end of this season from Crystal Palace.

David de Gea's current contract also runs out in the summer. An extension is under discussion.