Reports continue to link Leeds United with Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda ahead of a potentially-vital January transfer window.
According to Pucela Fichajes via SportingWitness, Fresneda has a "large number of teams" chasing his signature after making his La Liga debut for Valladolid in September.
Having registered less than 10 senior career appearances, the former Real Madrid youngster would make a logical replacement for academy graduate Cody Drameh, who remains unhappy with his sporicidal role at Elland Road.
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Fresneda's pedigree, he is a Spanish-under-19 international, indicates that he is a player of immense talent. Therefore, a possible acquisition is bound to intrigue Whites supporters.
With that in mind, below is everything you need to know about Fresneda and links to Leeds...
Who is Ivan Fresneda?
Born in Madrid, Fresneda joined Real's youth set-up 'La Fabrica' in 2014. He would spend four years with the Spanish capital's biggest club before opting to sign for nearby Leganes.
However, it was his move to Valladolid, a club best known by Leeds fans as quarter-final opponents during the Whites' famous UEFA Champions League run of 2001, which set the wheels in motion.
Following injuries to Saidy Janko and Diogo Queiros, Fresneda was thrust into first-team action by manager Jose Rojo Martin in January, despite only previously featuring for the club's reserve team.
He debuted in Valladolid's 1-0 triumph over Burgos CF and would continue to appear in matchday squad's throughout the campaign as they secured promotion, whilst also winning a Copa del Ray debut against Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis.
Fresneda's presence has been a regular one for Valladolid this season. Aside from a three-match absence through a hamstring injury in October, he has featured in every squad and made seven appearances as Pucelanos look to establish themselves as a force within La Liga, once more.
His international debut came with La Furia Roja's under-18 side in April and he has since stepped up to under-19 level.
What has been said about Fresneda's future?
Rumours began to intensify when Spanish outlet AS described the race to sign Fresneda as a 'frantic race'. Italian clubs AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma are said to be keen, in addition to Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain, Rennes in Ligue 1 and a whole host of Premier League clubs.
While Fresneda and Valladolid representatives have remained quiet on a potential move, Leeds boss Jesse Marsch previously suggested a full-back vacancy could be created with the wantaway Drameh keen on match action.
Marsch told LeedsLive back in August: “The window is still open. I think he [Drameh] knows he wants to play games and that's important for him but we also value having him here. So we'll see how that next week goes and exactly what comes out of it but I can just say that in the moment."
It is understood Fresneda's current contract at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium contains a release clause of £26 million.
Where will he fit in at Leeds?
At just 18 with limited first-team experience, Fresneda would not become a first-team player at Elland Road in the immediate future.
Both Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen have been preferred to academy graduate Drameh this season and that is not expected to drastically change.
Nevertheless, the former's contract is due to expire at the end of the 2022/2023 campaign and Drameh's impending departure could, subsequently, leave Kristensen as Leeds' only right-back and create an opening for Fresneda.
With last summer's signings boasting an average age of just 24.6, Fresneda's profile certainly fits that of what Marsch and Director of Football Victor Orta appear keen on recruiting.
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