Chelsea GUARANTEED first refusal on Barcelona target

Cameron Smith

28 Aug 2023 17:12 BST
4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Chelsea have been handed a boost in their hopes of signing talented Spanish defender Ivan Fresneda, with reports from Portugal suggesting they will be given the opportunity to match any bid for the imminent new Sporting CP star.

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Fresneda, 18, remains a Real Valladolid player, but he is expected to join Sporting very shortly, with Fabrizio Romano reporting they have agreed a fee of €9m plus €3m in add-ons.

There will also be a 10% sell-on clause included in Fresneda’s Sporting deal, which is set to run until 2028.

However, Record in Portugal have reported that Sporting have guaranteed Chelsea the opportunity to match or better any future bid for Fresneda.

The Blues were linked with a move for the right-back earlier this window, despite the presence of Reece James and Malo Gusto, and only didn’t complete a move due to FFP problems, according to the report.

Fresneda - a wanted property

In January, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund both agreed terms with Fresneda, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, while FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Newcastle had touched base with the player’s agent over a possible move.

© ProShots - Ivan Fresneda is set to join Sporting

A winter transfer did not go through, and the Magpies ended up signing Valentino Livramento, while Arsenal landed Jurrien Timber from Ajax.

Barcelona have also been long-term admirers of Fresneda, but Xavi and Deco locked horns over a possible move. Xavi wanted to sign Joao Cancelo - which is now all but done according to Fabrizio Romano - while Deco believes that Fresneda has a higher ceiling.

It looks as though Barca have now missed out on Fresneda, while Chelsea have been given assurances over signing the youngster in the future after losing the race to sign him this time around.

Chelsea have spent €417.1m so far this summer, with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Axel Disasi and Nicolas Jackson among their arrivals this window.