Barcelona president Joan Laporta made it clear during his interview on Tuesday night that the club were looking for three more signings this summer – two midfielders and a right-back.
As for the midfielders, Oriol Romeu is said to be closing in on a move to Barcelona from Girona, while Giovani Lo Celso is an option being looked at to add more creativity.
And for the right-back position, the Blaugrana are looking at Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid, who has a release clause worth €20 million in his contract.
But according to a fresh report from Portera Nunez, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez also likes RCD Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo for the right-back position and that the 26-year-old could come for a cheaper price than Fresneda.
Maffeo started at the academy of Barça’s local rivals RCD Espanyol before Manchester City signed him up at a very young age. The right-back spent a lot of time on loan at the Cityzens’ sister club, Girona before joining VfB Stuttgart permanently in 2018.
A year later, he returned to Girona on loan before having two more loan stints with SD Huesca and RCD Mallorca. He joined the latter permanently in 2022 and enjoyed a solid campaign, finishing with two goals and three assists from 35 La Liga appearances.
At 26, Maffeo is entering his prime years and has plenty of experience in La Liga, having made close to 130 appearances in the Spanish top flight.
As such, the former Manchester City ace has an admirer in Barcelona manager Xavi and a move could be considered in case he is available for a price lower than what Fresneda would cost.
Joao Cancelo is another option on the radars of the La Liga champions and a loan move for the Manchester City outcast could be in the works.