The right-back position remains an area of problem for FC Barcelona despite the club’s efforts to solve it in recent months. There are not many quality options available in the market, and the financial conditions of the club further make an acquisition of a competent right-back difficult for the club.
According to different reports in the last few months, Joao Cancelo has been the player the Catalan club had identified as their favorite for the right-back position going into the next season. However, according to the latest report from SPORT, Cancelo has almost been ruled out as a possibility for Barcelona this summer.
The report mentions that the Blaugranes had been studying his incorporation into the squad for the next season, but the high cost of the operation makes it difficult for Barcelona to get the Portuguese fullback. The club does not want to pay a high amount of money, especially as the player would not be fully owned by Barcelona and would come only on loan.
The Catalans have already communicated to Jorge Mendes, the player’s agent, that it would be difficult for them to incorporate Cancelo into the squad. While the player has not been conclusively ruled out yet, the club is preferring other options in the market for now.
Deco wants the club to sign a younger player for this position, who would be completely owned by the club and can grow further in the coming years. His main candidate is Real Valladolid player Ivan Fresneda, while Pablo Maffeo from Mallorca is also on the club’s shortlist.
The prices of these players will be the decisive factor in who will take the right-back position at FC Barcelona next season. For now, Xavi will be testing out Julian Araujo and Sergino Dest during the pre-season camp. He also has Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto available for this role, but a specialist right-back is still needed at the club.
