With Barcelona pushing hard to sign a new right-back this summer, they are working on two operations simultaneously as both Joao Cancelo and Ivan Fresneda are on the club’s agenda.
Talks are underway with Manchester City for Cancelo, but the structuring of the agreement is proving to be a major hurdle.
As for Fresneda, the 18-year-old does not generate total consensus within the club although the operation has the backing of new sporting director Deco.
However, if Barça do not act fast, the La Liga champions run the risk of missing out on Fresneda’s signing, with competition for his services growing fast.
Chelsea enter race for Ivan Fresneda
Only earlier today we reported that two unnamed Premier League clubs and Portuguese giants Sporting CP and FC Porto were showing an interest in Fresneda.
And, it appears that one of the Premier League clubs that are looking at the 18-year-old right-back are Chelsea.
Indeed, ESPN is reporting that Chelsea are now considering making a move for Fresneda, who has a release clause worth €20 million in his contract with Real Valladolid.
Now, the 18-year-old has a preference for Barça and is already understood to have agreed personal terms with the club.
And, Deco is understood to be in constant touch with his representatives as he buys time to see how the Cancelo deal evolves.
Even if Barcelona do sign Cancelo, they are not entirely ruling out the possibility of bringing in Fresneda as well, in which case the latter could be sent out on loan.
But a decision needs to be made quickly and Chelsea are said to be keeping a close watch on developments.
As iterated earlier, Fresneda has a release clause worth €20 million in his contract, but Valladolid would be open to selling him for a fee of around €8-10 million.
Arsenal have also been linked with Fresneda in the past while West Ham United are said to be considering an offer as well. As such, Barcelona must act swiftly if they are serious about signing him.
