Chelsea join Barcelona in race to sign 18-year-old Spanish right-back

Barcelona’s hunt for a new right-back is still on. Xavi Hernandez was in favour of incorporating an experienced campaigner in Joao Cancelo, but Ivan Fresneda has his share of supporters in the Catalan club’s administration.

According to reports from SPORT, Barça must act fast if they wish to sign the Real Valladolid prodigy. Chelsea have entered the race to sign him and threaten to swoop his signature before them.

Fresneda prioritises Barcelona

There is no need for immediate worry for the club, for the player prioritises a move to Barcelona over any other offer he has on the table.

However, the youngster has been waiting for an offer from the Catalans all summer and is now getting impatient about the slow negotiations.

Moreover, Fresneda and his entourage are aware of the Spanish giants’ interest in Joao Cancelo and Juan Foyth and do not see it with good eyes.

Real Valladolid and Fresneda are in a hurry to sort out the right-back’s future. Barcelona must strike when the iron is hot or could live to regret their turtle pace.

Barcelona consider a €15 million offer

Fresneda’s release clause at Real Valladolid stands at €20 million. However, Barcelona cannot afford that number as it stands given their financial situation.

The Blaugranas are convinced that an offer of €10 million plus €5 million in variables will convince Valladolid to sell the star.

There was the probability of including Estanis Pedrola in the deal, but the La Masia prospect is now reportedly close to joining Sampdoria.

For any such move, however, Xavi Hernandez must give the green light to the administration. After all, he is the leader of the project.

Barcelona’s only hope?

While the teenager’s name has been on the club’s table for a long time, Barcelona have not shied away from talking to other potential candidates.

Cancelo was Xavi’s top priority, but the Portuguese international is now fading away as an option given Manchester City’s economic demands.

Foyth, who was the club’s second alternative, also appears to be off the agenda given his mammoth €54.6 million release clause.

The coming days will thus be critical in deciding if Barcelona decide to take the risk on Fresneda or not.