Manchester City appears to have shifted its focus to Portuguese talent, particularly a player well-known to sporting director Hugo Viana.
While the club is currently satisfied with its full-back options, its recruitment strategy has typically involved targeting elite young prospects well in advance, allowing for a seamless integration without added pressure. The current objective seems to be to enhance the club’s right-side options.
Manchester City has long admired Iberian talents within its scouting network, and recent transfer windows have further strengthened the club’s relationships in Portugal.
The rising quality from Primeira Liga clubs continually attracts interest from top European teams, and City has demonstrated a willingness to revisit previously scouted players if their development has progressed elsewhere.
One standout name is 21-year-old Ivan Fresneda, who has begun to make a name for himself as an exceptional young full-back in Europe. He combines composure on the ball with impressive athleticism and can function effectively as both a modern inverted full-back and a traditional wide defender.
As Manchester City increasingly seeks right-backs capable of adapting to various in-game structures, Fresneda’s recent growth and versatility have heightened interest from the Etihad Stadium.
According to TBR Football, with City exploring right-back options ahead of the summer 2026 transfer window, Fresneda from Sporting CP has once again entered their radar.
The young defender was on City’s shortlist in 2023, but along with other clubs like Real Madrid and Newcastle United, they lost out to Sporting CP, which secured his signature for approximately £8 million from Real Valladolid, including a £70 million release clause in his contract.
City’s renewed interest is also mindful of the shifting dynamics within their squad. With Kyle Walker’s departure to Burnley and João Cancelo now just a memory, Rico Lewis has emerged as a key player in the right-back position alongside Matheus Nunes.
On the other hand, Sporting CP is likely to remain steadfast given Fresneda’s rapid ascent and the protection offered by his release clause. The Portuguese club has demonstrated expertise in nurturing and selling talent, so any potential bid from City will likely only unfold if Fresneda maintains a strong upward trajectory over the coming months.
In the near future, Manchester City will likely keep a close eye on the Spanish defender, assessing whether his development warrants activating the significant release clause or pursuing direct negotiations with Sporting—an organization that Hugo Viana knows very well from his previous role as sporting director in Lisbon before taking over the position from Txiki Begiristain.