Ivan Fresneda was unheard of heading into the 2022-23 campaign but has burst onto the La Liga scene with Newcastle United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus all linked with a move for the right-back. The Spanish youth international has a reported release clause of £26.5million and regarded as one of the hottest talents in Europe.
Nonetheless, the Magpies would move to sign West Ham defender Harrison Ashby, with interest in Fresneda cooling as the January transfer window closed. The defender has caught the eye following an impressive breakthrough campaign and fine performance against Real Madrid earlier this season.
He's spoken for the firs time of his pride in being linked with some of Europe's top clubs and has started learning English and German ahead of a possible transfer this summer.
READ MORE: James Maddison has 'outgrown' Leicester with Newcastle and Man City primed for summer move
“I’m proud but I always say it, I’m also at a big club, Valladolid,” Fresneda told AS. “I have always valued studies with a view to the future, beyond football. I am a person who likes to learn languages.”
The defender’s agent Luis Bardaji was in London over the winter, reportedly for talks with Premier League clubs over a possible move for Fresneda. However, with the transfer window slamming shut, the agent insisted that his client had no issues with remaining at Valladolid for the rest of the season but hyped up a historic transfer in the future.
“For us it is not a bad situation, no drama, quite the opposite,” Bardaji told AS. “Ivan is happy to play for Real Valladolid, to be under the orders of Pacheta, who is the one who has allowed him to enjoy the way he is doing now.
“If one day he has to leave we would like it to be a historic sale for the club.”
READ NEXT
Newcastle warned Inter Milan hold trump card in race to sign Marcus Thuram
- Kieran Tierney would bring same attacking threat to Newcastle akin to Trippier
Forgotten man who almost smashed Newcastle's transfer record is now free agent
- Raphinha departure from Barcelona would 'insult his family' amid Newcastle links
Newcastle told Real Madrid and Man City wouldn't be able to sign Bruno Guimaraes
