Arsenal’s interest in Iván Fresneda has been well documented in Portugal over recent months. The Sporting defender has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has been monitored closely after establishing himself as one of the standout right-backs in Portuguese football. In addition, recent reports have placed him on Arsenal’s shortlist for the position.
What makes the story more interesting is how close Fresneda came to leaving Sporting before any of that interest emerged.
According to A Bola, the Spaniard’s rise from potential departure candidate to one of the club’s most protected assets has been one of the biggest internal success stories of the past year.
From possible Como move to Arsenal radar
When Fresneda arrived from Real Valladolid in 2023 for €9m (£7.7m), expectations were high. The reality proved more complicated.
The defender struggled to establish himself under Ruben Amorim and managed only 10 appearances during his first season in Portugal. However, A Bola explain that his profile never fully matched the demands of Sporting’s 3-4-3 system. This system relied heavily on highly attacking wing-backs.
Before Rui Borges arrived, the newspaper states Fresneda was even considered transferable and talks were held with Italian side Como. At that stage, an exit looked likely.
Instead, everything changed.
What Rui Borges saw that Amorim did not
A Bola’s report centres on the belief that Rui Borges identified qualities in Fresneda that had previously been overlooked… by former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. As a result, the coach’s tactical changes immediately helped.
Moving towards a system with a more traditional right-back role allowed the Spaniard to play to his strengths. Rather than asking him to operate as an attack-first wing-back, Borges gave him freedom to attack while demanding maximum aggression in defensive duels.
The result was a player who suddenly looked comfortable. Fresneda finished the season with 39 appearances, one goal and two assists, becoming Sporting’s eighth-most-used player.
The report also reveals that the transformation was not only tactical.
The psychological work behind the turnaround
According to A Bola, Borges believed Fresneda’s biggest requirement was confidence.
The Sporting manager worked heavily on the player’s mentality, encouraging his competitive nature and convincing him to use his impressive physical attributes more effectively for the team.
That trust appears to have paid off. The newspaper describes Fresneda as focused, humble and hardworking. In addition, it adds that his standing inside the dressing room has grown significantly.
In fact, A Bola claim the defender is already viewed internally as part of a small group of potential future captains.
For a foreign player who arrived only three years ago and once appeared destined for the exit door, that represents a remarkable change.
Arsenal and others now watching closely
The transformation has naturally attracted attention. Arsenal have followed Fresneda closely throughout the season and recently placed him on a shortlist of right-back options.
Newcastle and Manchester City have also been linked. Meanwhile, A Bola now mention Real Madrid among the clubs credited with an interest.
That attention comes after a campaign in which Fresneda finally delivered on the promise that convinced Sporting to sign him. The interesting part is Sporting’s reaction.
Earlier reports suggested the club could listen to offers above €30m (£25.8m), despite the player’s €80m (£68.9m) release clause. However, now this latest report strikes a much firmer tone.
A Bola state that Sporting now consider Fresneda “untouchable” and part of the core group they want to keep at all costs heading into next season.
Whether that stance survives a major Premier League offer remains to be seen. What is clear is that the player Arsenal are now watching so closely was, not that long ago, heading in the opposite direction.