Real Madrid-linked defender agrees €12 million move

Real Madrid have been linked with some of the best young talents around Europe in recent times. The club have changed their transfer policy in recent years, moving away from their Galactico-style signings every summer and instead focusing on signing highly-rated youngsters and developing them into first-team superstars at Santiago Bernabeu.

This has served them quite well. Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde are all regular starters for Los Blancos now, after having arrived as teenagers.

Another youngster Real Madrid had been linked with recently is Ivan Fresneda. The club are not in a great situation when it comes to right-back options, so it is not hard to understand why. Dani Carvajal is no longer the player he once was. Lucas Vazquez and Nacho are also past 30. Alvaro Odriozola does not seem to be a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans and is expected to leave soon.

So, someone like Fresneda could have been an excellent addition to this Real Madrid team. But it looks like he is headed to Portugal instead.

Real Madrid-linked defender agrees €12 million move

As tweeted out by Fabrizio Romano, Fresneda to Sporting Lisbon has gotten a here we go. The player has accepted after a deal was agreed between the clubs for €9 million plus €3 million add-ons package. He is set to sign until June 2028.

The Spaniard was linked with clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal and more. So, his ending up at Sporting Lisbon might confuse fans. But this might actually be a pretty smart move on the part of Fresneda.

Sporting Lisbon play a great brand of football and have a history of developing players as well. Fresneda is expected to get consistent playing time there, something that would be in question if he joined a club like Real Madrid, Barcelona or similar.

Fresneda is 18 years of age and has time on his side. He can develop at Sporting Lisbon and get his big move later on in his career when he is viewed as a starter from the get-go and not a ‘project’ signing.