Sources: Bournemouth now working on surprise Ivan Fresneda deal
Bournemouth are exploring an ambitious move for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda, sources have told Football Insider.
It is believed Cherries scouts watched the 18-year-old starlet at the recent Under-19 European Championships and left impressed with his performances.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider it is “likely” Fresneda will move on from Valladolid following their relegation to the Spanish second tier last season.
Bournemouth are keen to strike a marquee deal for his services – which would come as a surprise considering the calibre of sides set to rival them.
Fresneda has been linked with many top European clubs since his breakthrough in the last 12 months, with Premier League giants Arsenal among those recently credited with an interest.
Football Insider revealed in January that the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund had submitted a £13million bid for his services – but the right-back chose to stay at Valladolid and help in their fight against relegation.
But Fresenda was powerless to avoid the drop, opening the door to a big-money move elsewhere in the summer window.
He made 24 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign – his first season of full senior involvement.
Bournemouth have already completed deals for Hamed Junior Traore and Justin Kluivert so far this summer.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month (10 July) that Bournemouth are also ready to join the chase for Man City starlet Carlos Borges – who netted 29 goals in youth football last season.
In other news, Arsenal preparing new midfielder move after star agrees terms.
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Real Valladolid’s Gonzalo Plata recently discussed his willingness to leave the team in an interview with journalist Maria Jose Flores, stating he is open to receiving offers – in a boost to Bournemouth’s hopes of signing the 22-year-old.
The Ecuadorian international’s words will have put the Cherries’ hierarchy on high alert after reports suggest the club are interested in the pacy winger.
Bournemouth’s Pursuit of Gonzalo Plata Given Boost by Player
Andoni Iraola may be going over his new squad at the club’s Marbella training camp in Spain, but the work on bringing in new players is also well underway behind the scenes.
Read more: ‘I Will Help the Club’: Andoni Iraola Outlines His Intent as New Bournemouth Manager
Plata is the most recent player to attract interest from the South Coast club, with reports from South America suggesting the Ecuadorian international to be valued at just £8 million.
The 22-year-old has fanned the flames surrounding his own future after speaking to Flores, stating he is ‘open to receive any kind of offers from any country’. He also went on to say that there have been some proposals made and that ‘only the yes of Valladolid is missing’
This news will be of keen interest to Bournemouth fans who will be excited at the proposition of the South American turning up at Vitality Stadium – and with good reason.
FIFA described him as a ‘jet heeled winger’ who can ‘dazzle’ defenders with his speed and skill in Ecuador’s team profile ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His performances for his club over the past two seasons would also suggest his talents can be transferred into a productive outlay, having made 19 goal contributions in 67 appearances for the Spanish club.
Spotted in Marbella
Fans have also been talking about Plata’s presence at the Marbella football centre after the winger appeared on his agent’s Instagram story working hard in a private training session.
Bournemouth are also currently using the Spanish football camp for their pre-season schedule and recently defeated Hibernian 4-0 in a friendly before losing 1-0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Read More: ‘Top Target’: Bournemouth Set to Bid Again for £4K-Per-Week Midfielder
However, whilst both parties are sharing the same training facility, there is nothing concrete to suggest the player is about to make the switch from La Liga to the Premier League.
Wherever the attacker does ends up, he will be a great addition, and for the money being reported, it would be a steal for a young player who boasts international experience at a World Cup.
Andy is a multimedia journalism graduate from Bournemouth University with a passion for all things football. He has experience covering AFC Bournemouth in both the Championship and Premier League with some of his work being published in the Bournemouth Echo and for Dorset Live.
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