With the summer transfer window just around the corner, a lot is being said about Barcelona’s transfer plans.
As manager Xavi Hernandez has made abundantly clear on several occasions, a new pivot midfielder is an absolute priority for the La Liga champions heading into the transfer window. Apart from that, another central midfielder and a striker are high on the wishlist.
It begs the question as to whether Barça plan on bringing in a new right-back or not, given the situation in the position.
And, according to Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo, Xavi does see the signing of a new right-back as a necessity but does not consider it a top priority at the moment.
Instead, the manager will bank on three players who are at his disposal in the form of Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, and Julian Araujo.
Barcelona have been looking at the market for solutions and names such as Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), and Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), among others are on the club’s radars.
However, at the moment, there are no immediate plans to make a move for a new right-back. The situation will be considered once the priority positions are addressed and if there is Financial Fair Play margin available for a full-back to be brought in.
If not, Xavi plans to talk to Kounde and convince him to continue at right-back while also giving him equal game-time at centre-back.
The manager has so far liked what he has seen from Julian Araujo, but will take a closer look at the Mexican international during the pre-season before deciding on his role in the team. Meanwhile, Roberto also remains an option at right-back.
So, for now, a new right-back is not a priority for Xavi and Barcelona. The situation will be revisited as the pre-season progresses, and if any opportunity presents itself, a move will be made depending on the FFP situation.