Newcastle pushing to beat AC Milan to signing of £19m LaLiga defender also wanted in winter window
Newcastle United remain hopeful that they can win the race for a Real Valladolid full-back this summer, according to reports that emerged on Sunday.
Eddie Howe is expected to be heavily backed in the transfer market this summer, especially if the club can secure a place in next season’s Champions League with a top-four finish.
The St James’ Park outfit are currently well on track to do that, sitting eight points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand ahead of Sunday’s clash with bottom club Southampton.
One of the areas that Howe is looking to strengthen is more competition at full-back and Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has given an update on their chase for a LaLiga star.
Ivan Fresneda emerged as a target for both Newcastle and Arsenal in the January window, but both clubs went in different directions instead.
However, there remains firm interest in the talented 18-year-old, who has already made 21 senior appearances for Valladolid despite his tender age.
Borussia Dortmund are also thought to be in the running for the youngster, although Di Marzio told Sky Sport 24 (via Milan News) that Milan are ‘very interested’ in the signing, as they ‘follow him carefully’ and are the strongest Italian club in the race.
Teenage talent comes with fairly steep price tag
There is, though, expected to be a scramble for his signature in the summer as numerous clubs try and strike a deal.
The report does not state how much Valladolid are demanding for the transfer, although the number of interested sides could end up creating a bidding war.
It was reported on Sport Witness earlier in April that it could take a fee of around €25m (£19.2m) to prise him away from Spain.
That sort of figure would be no issue at all for both Newcastle and Arsenal and could come down to a preference on where Fresneda feels he has the best chance of developing his game – if, indeed, he does decide on a move to the Premier League.
