Barcelona no longer prioritising a new right-back, will look to bolster two other positions

Barcelona no longer prioritising a new right-back, will look to bolster two other positions

Heading into the summer, it was believed that Barcelona would be prioritising the signing of a new right-back, considering that the squad had no natural player in the position.

Hector Bellerin was signed last summer, but offloaded in January after a sorry six-month stint. Xavi has been relying on Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo in the position, both of whom prefer to play as centre-backs.

Hence, the Catalans were said to be seeking a top-quality right-back in the summer, with club president Joan Laporta confirming as much during a public interaction. Names like Thomas Meunier, Diogo Dalot, Juan Foyth, and more recently, Vanderson have been linked.

But, according to a fresh update from Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are no longer prioritising the signing of a new right-back in the summer transfer window.

The report states that club officials held a meeting during the ongoing international break to discuss the transfer strategy for the summer and came to an agreement that a new right-back is not a priority at the moment.

There is a belief among the officials that they might have to spend at least around €40-50 million to bring in a good right-back, which they cannot given the financial situation and the need to strengthen in other positions.

On top of that, the Blaugrana believe that they have enough cover in the position in Kounde and Araujo, who would be asked to play at right-back in important matches even if someone new arrived.

Furthermore, they have also renewed the contract of Sergi Roberto, who they believe provides a bit more in the attacking sense than Kounde and Araujo. Hence, although not ruling it out completely, Barça will not make it a priority to sign a new right-back.

Instead, they will focus on signing two new midfielders – one for the interior role and another for the pivot position.

Pedri’s injury concerns as well as the fact that the team loses a bit when he is absent warrants the addition of another interior midfielder, leading to strong links to Ilkay Gundogan, who will be a free agent in the summer.

As for the pivot position, Sergio Busquets’ uncertain future is a worry and even if he renews, it would bode well for Barcelona to have a succession in place for their captain. As such, Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina continues to be linked.


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