Barcelona set sights on bargain deal for Sporting CP star | OneFootball

Barcelona are planning to sign at least one new defender in 2027, with club bosses have already stressed a need to strengthen at centre-back. However, there is scope for further backline additions, especially if one or two current players end up leaving.

In recent weeks, there has been increased speculation regarding the futures of Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde. Both players could be on the chopping block for January, and in the case of the latter, a replacement would surely be required if he leaves, given that Hansi Flick prefers to use Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart on the left.

Eric Garcia is currently Barcelona’s starting right-back, but he is naturally a central defender. Thus, it makes sense to sign someone if Kounde leaves, and that is where Ivan Fresneda could come into the equation, with O Jogo (via Sport) reporting that the Catalans have reignited their interest in the Sporting CP defender.

Barcelona tried to sign Fresneda before Sporting CP move

When Fresneda was still at Real Valladolid, Barcelona showed a lot of interest in signing him, before the decision was made to pass him up. He ended up joining Sporting CP in the summer of 2023, and after a slow start in Portugal, he has developed into a key player there – and he even earned a senior Spain call-up for the ongoing international break.

There could be an opportunity for Barcelona to sign Fresneda for below his market value. The 22-year-old is only under contract at Sporting CP until 2028, and given that he’s yet to commit to a new deal, there may be a chance for the Catalans to pick him up. Right now, there is no indication as to whether he will renew or not, but it he doesn’t, the Portuguese giants would be forced to cash in next summer.

It will be interesting to see whether Barcelona step up their pursuit of Fresneda, although that will entirely depend on whether he decides to commit his future to Sporting CP in the coming months.