Manchester City are looking at right-back options heading into 2026, and TBR Football understands they are back on the trail of Spanish starlet Ivan Fresneda.
City were very happy with their summer work under the new sporting director, Hugo Viana, but are now planning for the next transfer window.
Indeed, Viana is bringing his own knowledge to the search, and that has brought their radar back to Fresneda.
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He was a player City were keen on in 2023, but ironically, along with the likes of Real Madrid and Newcastle United, they missed out on Fresneda to Sporting CP.
21-year-old Fresneda is now starting to fulfil his potential in Lisbon and City are now keeping close tabs on the Spanish Under-21 star.
Sporting CP defender Ivan Fresneda during of Champions League photoshoot.
Photo by Gualter Fatia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Exclusive: Man City make Ivan Fresneda an alternative to Tino Livramento
Ivan Fresneda has emerged as an alternative to Tino Livramento on Manchester City’s list of transfer targets, sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey.
Pep Guardiola’s team are in the market for a new right-back and have a long-standing interest in Newcastle’s Livramento, but that deal is not seen as easy or likely.
Viana is now starting to look at other options, and the Spaniard is a player they have admired for quite some time.
Speaking about City’s search, Bailey told TBR Football: “Man City do not need much in terms of squad depth, they are very happy in that regard.
🇪🇺 Top 7 League U21 Fullbacks: Defensive duels won per 90
🥇 Nico O'Reilly (Man City, 20) — 6.46
🥈 Davinchi (Getafe, 17) — 6.29
🥉 Iván Fresneda (Sporting CP, 21) — 6.08
🏅 Olivier Aertssen (PEC Zwolle, 21) — 5.88
🏅 Samuele Angori (Pisa, 21) — 5.83
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“But the club do feel right-back is an area they might do some work on. We know they wanted Tino Livramento, but that is complicated.
“They are looking at other options, and I am told Ivan Fresneda, someone who Hugo Viana knows well, is a player they have been watching heading into the New Year.”
Arsenal also wanted Fresneda in 2023, but now Guardiola could be the manager to finally bring the Spanish defender to the Premier League.
Ivan Fresneda is impressing in Liga Portugal
Sporting stunned several Premier League clubs by winning the race to sign the talented Spanish youth international back in 2023.
The Portuguese club managed to land the talented young defender for around £8 million, and he now has a £70 million release clause in his contract.
Stat Total
Tackles 15
Duels won 26
Dribble success 42.9%
Pass accuracy 84.9%
Chances created 3
Ivan Fresneda’s Liga Portugal 2025/26 season stats (FotMob)
Fresneda joined Sporting just after Pedro Porro left the club for Tottenham, and since then, he has continued to impress many European clubs.
Right-back has become a bit of a problem position for Guardiola, but the 21-year-old could be the ideal candidate for them next year.