‘Confirmed’ - Newcastle United and Arsenal transfer target completes £10m move

Newcastle United-linked right-back Ivan Fresnada has completed a move away from La Liga side Real Valladolid following months of speculation.

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fresnada has joined Portuguese giants Sporting on a five-year contract in a transfer worth £7.7million plus £2.5m add-ons.

“Official, confirmed. Ivan Fresneda signs until June 2028 as new Sporting player, it’s sealed,” Romano tweeted. “€9m, €3m add-ons and 10% sell on clause for Valladolid.”

Fresnada, a Spain under-20s international, made 24 appearances for Valladolid last season having been on the radar of Newcastle, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in January. Magoies head of recruitment Steve Nickson was pictured sitting alongside the youngster’s agent during a game against Real Madrid earlier this year.

Spanish football expert Fernando Kallas then told Sky Sports News in January that a deal to Newcastle was “a done deal” but nothing materialised.

“He’s 18-year-old and he made a very good game over the weekend,” said Kallas. He neutralised Vinicius Junior when Real Madrid played Valladolid. I heard the coach and his team-mates are already saying goodbye to him because it’s fairly a done deal that he’s going to Newcastle.

“He had conversations with Real Madrid and Barcelona. He’s a very young player, he’s been in the Spanish national team under-18s and under-17s too. He’s going to be a good player and he’s another example of how the Premier League are just dominating the market going after players in the big five leagues. It’s almost unfair right now.”

Newcastle went on to sign Harrison Ashby from West Ham United for £3m and have further strengthened the right-back position with the £30m arrival of Tino Livramento from Southampton. Although Ashby has been loaned to Swansea City, United still have additional cover in Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo.