The race for Sporting Lisbon’s rising star Ivan Fresneda has intensified, with Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Arsenal all reportedly monitoring the 21-year-old right-back.
According to Portuguese daily A Bola, Sporting is prepared to negotiate a sale this summer for a fee significantly lower than his €80 million release clause.
The Transfer Landscape
While no official bids have landed as of late February 2026, the groundwork for a summer move is being laid.
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Open for Business: Sporting Lisbon is reportedly willing to accept a “reasonable” offer under the €80M mark, as they feel well-covered in that position.
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The Hugo Viana Factor: Manchester City may have a tactical advantage; their Sporting Director, Hugo Viana, was the one who originally brought Fresneda to Lisbon from Real Valladolid in 2023.
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Arsenal’s Defensive Overhaul: Mikel Arteta is scouting Fresneda as a potential successor to Ben White, whose playing time has seen a dip this season.
Elite Performance Profile
Fresneda has flourished under manager Rui Borges, benefiting from a tactical shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation that allows him more freedom to overlap.
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Champions League Speedster: Fresneda has officially clocked in as one of the fastest players in this season’s Champions League, recording a top speed of 35.08 km/h—just shy of the competition’s top 15.
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Reliability: In the 2025/26 campaign, he has established himself as a mainstay, recording over 2,200 minutes across all competitions and maintaining a high passing accuracy of 90% in European play.
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International Recognition: A staple for Spain’s U-21 side, Fresneda is expected to be called up for the March 2026 qualifiers against Cyprus and Kosovo.
Sporting’s Contingency Plan
The Portuguese giants are comfortable with a potential sale due to their impressive depth at right-back.
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Successors in Waiting: The club already utilizes Georgios Vagiannidis (24) as a frequent starter and has high hopes for 21-year-old Diogo Travassos.
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Academy Talent: Emerging youngster Salvador Blopa is also being fast-tracked to provide long-term cover for the first team.