Ivan Fresneda of Sporting CP during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and Villarreal at Estadio Nacional on July 25, 2025 in Oeiras...
OEIRAS, PORTUGAL - JULY 25: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting CP during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and Villarreal at Estadio Nacional on July 25, 2025 in Oeiras, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 20: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting Clube de Portugal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Jose Alvalade on January 20, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 20: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting Clube de Portugal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Jose Alvalade on January 20, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Arsenal are once again being linked with a move for Ivan Fresneda, the Sporting CP right-back whose contract includes an €80 million release clause.
Fresneda, now 21, has been on Arsenal’s radar for at least four years, dating back to when the Gunners were reportedly in talks to sign him as a 17-year-old.
At the time, the proposed deal was believed to be worth around €15 million, while his release clause stood at €30 million.
When the January 2023 transfer window opened, Fresneda’s representatives travelled to London amid intense speculation over Arsenal’s interest.
Despite reports that a deal had been agreed, any move was postponed until the summer.
PAMPLONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 30: Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid in action during the LaLiga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid CF at El Sadar Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 30: Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid in action during the LaLiga Santander match between CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid CF at El Sadar Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The story did not end there. Fresneda later admitted he admired Mikel Arteta and was ‘proud’ to be linked with Arsenal, while also setting about learning English.
Despite all that, and Arsenal reportedly submitting a lucrative offer that summer, Fresneda instead left Real Valladolid for Sporting in a deal worth just €9 million.
The speculation has been quiet since, but it appears to be resurfacing in this window.
Record in Portugal reports: “The Spaniard is bound until June 2028 and has the contract secured through a clause set at €80m. In the current market, the right-back has also been pointed out as a possible reinforcement of Arsenal and Newcastle.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL - APRIL 07: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting Clube de Portugal runs with the ball while under pressure from Leandro Trossard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 07, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - APRIL 07: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting Clube de Portugal runs with the ball while under pressure from Leandro Trossard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 07, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
With two years remaining on his current contract in Portugal, it is possible these latest rumours are intended to strengthen Fresneda’s position in negotiations over improved terms at Sporting.
Equally, he remains a player Arsenal have admired for a long time, and right-back is a position that has caused the club problems because of injuries.
The one aspect of the speculation that appears difficult to believe is the valuation.
Arsenal may continue to monitor Fresneda, but it is hard to envisage the club paying anything close to €80 million for a full-back this summer, particularly when significant investment is also expected in attacking and midfield positions.
FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 16: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting CP reaction to result at the end of the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and Celtic at Estadio Algarve on July 16, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 16: Ivan Fresneda of Sporting CP reaction to result at the end of the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and Celtic at Estadio Algarve on July 16, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
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