Newcastle United, Juventus and a few other clubs are chasing Real Valladolid fullback Iván Fresneda.
On December 23rd, Calciomercato.it stated the Magpies have taken the first steps to sign the right-back.
Two days ago, Marca reported Newcastle are most willing to make a move for the 18-year-old after their chief scout, Steve Nickson, watched him live in action.
Valladolid manager Pacheta promoted the Spain U19 international to the first team a year ago and has handed him regular minutes since September. The defender missed three matches in October due to a hamstring injury.
Valladolid face Alavés in the Copa del Rey clash today and Pacheta was quizzed about the recent reports linking Fresneda to Newcastle and other clubs during the pre-match press conference.
“I think Fresneda has few games left with the Real Valladolid shirt. He is 18 years old, but he does things that people of 30 do,” Pacheta said, as quoted by Marca.
“If I was at another club, I would go for him without hesitation, his data is brutal and you are not buying the current player, you are buying what he can become in a few years.”
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle will make a firm effort to sign Fresneda in the current window, but if his manager has little faith in keeping him at this stage, they’ll have to move quickly.
