Leeds United are reportedly keen on moving for a new full back this January…
What’s the latest?
According to Spanish publication AS, the Whites are among several European clubs interested in the exciting Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda.
Having withstood an onslaught last year, the La Liga side now seem set to lose their starlet.
With a host of Italian clubs, and Arsenal, Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Everton, Brentford, Southampton and Fulham all noted from the Premier League, it seems that this January promises to be a transfer bloodbath to secure the teenage sensation.
The report does cite a current €30m (£25.7m) release clause, though, which could prove a stumbling block for many of these prospective suitors.
Ditch Kristensen
Should Jesse Marsch win this hotly-contested battle for Fresneda, it could perhaps mark a lack of faith in his summer signing Rasmus Kristensen.
Adding a young right-back could be seen as just putting a backup in place, but when it’s someone like Fresneda who has such pedigree and hype surrounding him, the 18-year-old would surely demand a starting spot.
That is all the more so if he can translate his fine form from Spain into the Premier League, as he is currently lighting up La Liga with his impressive all-round displays.
Despite only boasting nine senior appearances, the Madrid native plays with a maturity and skillset far beyond his years. Journalist Juan Arroita even claimed: “Iván Fresneda has a beastly ability to take measured crosses from the right-handed lane. How good does the boy look?”
In what has been his breakout season, this year he is averaging a rating of 7.02 in the league from Sofascore. This is supported by his match averages of 1.3 interceptions, 2.5 tackles and 2.8 clearances, which he partners expertly with 1.5 key passes per game (via Sofascore).
Clearly he is adept at breaking up attacks and also has the ability to then look up and find a killer pass to set his team on the break.
This is a far cry from what Kristensen has offered since his move to Leeds, with the Denmark international offering an unspectacular option for Marsch. With just one assist and no goals to his name at Elland Road, it seems that the 25-year-old’s offensive game has suffered since his move to England.
The Dane looks to mould his game around solidity, although his statistics suggest that he hardly blows Fresneda out of the water in that regard either. Kristensen has recorded 1.8 interceptions, 2.9 tackles and 2.4 clearances per game this season (via Sofascore) – only slightly up on the Spaniard for each metric.
There is no great gulf in class despite the seven-year age gap, and bringing in the Spanish stalwart could help to lock down the position at Elland Road for the next decade.
The future looks incredibly bright for Fresneda, and securing a deal for him would be a real statement of intent from the Yorkshire outfit.