Who is Iván Fresneda? Portuguese expert on Arsenal and Manchester City right-back target

Iván Fresneda is beginning to fulfil his immense potential at Sporting CP to earn attention from several European giants. The 21-year-old endured difficult moments after moving to Portugal from Real Valladolid for €9million in 2023 but he’s flourished this season. Fresneda was widely viewed as one of the best right-back talents of his generation after emerging at Valladolid and gained a market value of €15m at just 18.

A shoulder injury disrupted his integration at Sporting and he wasn’t overly suited to Rúben Amorim’s famed 3-4-2-1 formation. But Frescenda has thrived at right-back after Rui Borges reverted to a back-four and he’s caught the eye of Arsenal and Manchester City. The Madrid-born defender showed he can play at the highest level with Sporting CP securing a top eight finish in the Champions League. Although he’s being scouted by major clubs, Fresneda remains a relatively unknown quantity to many in England, so we’ve provided a detailed analysis of the defender using expert insight from Portugal.

Iván Fresneda: Insight into Sporting CP star from Portugal

As previously mentioned, Fresneda - the 9th most valuable U21 right-back in the world - had a complicated adaptation period at Sporting CP before showing his unquestionable talent. To ascertain why, we’ve spoken to Transfermarkt’s Portuguese expert and respected journalist, Gonçalo Tristão Santos. “Fresneda’s early days at Sporting were not easy,” said Santos.“There were high expectations surrounding his signing, because in Spain, when he was still playing for Valladolid, he was seen as one of the most promising right-backs of his generation. However, he did not live up to expectations and struggled to establish himself.

“Things changed with the arrival of coach Rui Borges, and especially after he altered Sporting’s tactical system this season. Last season, he kept the three-man defensive line inherited from Ruben Amorim, but in 2025/26 he began using a back four, as he has done throughout his career.”

On the reasons for his improvement under Borges, Santos continued: “With that tactical adjustment, Fresneda was finally able to play as a true right-back rather than as a right wing-back, as was the case with the back three, and this greatly benefited his game. He is currently an undisputed starter at Sporting, despite the club having signed another player for the position last summer, Greek full-back Georgios Vagiannidis.”

Arsenal and Manchester City interest in Iván Fresneda

Transfermarkt understands that Arsenal are closely monitoring Fresneda but Manchester City shouldn’t be ruled out. City’s director of football Hugo Viana joined from Sporting CP and knows the Spanish defender well with Pep Guardiola’s side lacking natural right-back options in their current squad. Fresneda’s current market value stands at €12m and although Sporting will demand a higher asking price, Santos doesn't believe they’ll command an ‘astronomical fee’.

“He has significant potential,” admitted Santos. “Still, I do not believe Sporting will sell him for an astronomical fee in the next transfer window. Fresneda has been a very reliable and useful player, but he continues to show certain weaknesses. He is very comfortable on the ball, but he is not particularly strong when it comes to dribbling and getting crosses to the box. Moreover, although he has improved considerably in this regard, he is not exceptionally strong defensively either, which is an area where he still has room to develop.”