The rumor of the week: Renew... or betray, here's the matter of Fresneda

Iván Fresneda fulfilled the dream of a life debut at the service of the main selection of Spain, and soon with 90 minutes in the field, in the triumph conquered over the Czech Republic, at Stadium Nuevo Carlos Tartiere, by 3-1, in meeting to count for the third day of the League of Nations group phase.

However, that is not the only reason why this week we spoke in the neighbouring country. This is because echoes of alleged interest of BarcelonaAt a time when Sporting tries at all costs, convince him who is one of Rui Borges’ ‘untouchables’ to renew the current contract, which ends at the end of the next sports season of 2027/28.

Hans-Dieter Flick is ‘desperate’ by someone who covers, once and for all, the ‘hole’ on which he became the right side of the defense of the two Spanish champions in title, and is an appreciator of the qualities of the 22-year-old player... and also Pedro Porro, from Tottenham, who is referred to as the main alternative.

Is it time for Ivan Fresneda to give the ‘jump’ to one of the most powerful clubs in European football? Or, instead, will you choose to play it safe, prolonging your commitment to Sporting, in an perspective of continuing growth? O Sports to Minute analyzes the pros and cons of this rumor.

Why can it happen?

Barcelona does not have many weak points, it is true, but the right side of the defense will perhaps be one of the only faults of the squad, so that Hans-Dieter Flick has been betting on the ownership of Eric García, a central defense of ‘root’, while keeping João Cancelo dizzying the opposite wing.

The leadership led by Joan Laporta would have financial ‘muscle’ to meet the demands of Sporting. In fact, we are already talking about the possibility of Jules Koundé being sold in the next winter transfer market after he has gone from unquestionable holder to mere occasional bet.

Iván Fresneda himself would not neglect, moreover, the possibility of returning to Spanish football... even if this contemplated a ‘treason’, since it is necessary not to forget, it was in the eternal rival of the Catalans, Real Madrid, who took the first steps in the world of football.

Why can't it happen?

After losing some of the main references of the locker room last summer, such as Morten Hjulland, Pedro Gonçalves or Francisco Trincão, Sporting grabbed ‘with nails and teeth’ to Ivan Fresneda, who, despite his ‘tender’ age, already appears as a figure of respect, in the squad at Rui Borges’ orders.

In fact, the direction led by Frederico Varandas is already working hard on renewing his contract, with its increase in validity (possibly until June 2031) and maturity, but without touching the termination clause, worth 80 million euros, which he believes is sufficient to keep the ‘trashes’ on the margin.

Finally, hiring in January usually means requiring immediate impact. With that in mind, it would always be less risky, from a sporting point of view, if the culés gave priority to Pedro Porro, who, remember, left Sporting towards Tottenham, precisely in January 2023, in an operation that amounted to EUR 47.5 million.

Every week Sports to Minute presents a new edition of the heading ‘The rumor of the week’, which aims to analyze, in detail, the circumstances surrounding the most popular business in the transfer market.