FC Barcelona are gearing up for a busy summer ahead as the Catalans look forward to strengthening several areas of their squad. However, with the club’s futile financial state, fulfilling Xavi’s wishlist will require smart recruitment and sacrifices worth conceding in the transfer window.
The Blaugranas have clear holes in their team requiring rectification. Among those positions is the right-back spot, with Kounde, a makeshift full-back, currently the primary starter. While he has fared well with his stylistic preference to form a back 3 and offer security in possession, weaknesses can be observed in his offensive aspects.
In hopes of fortifying the right-back slot, one of the names emerging on Xavi’s radar is Juan Foyth. The 25 year old is a technically gifted, versatile defender who is comfortable both on and off the ball. His ability to play multiple positions and contribute to both attacking and defensive phases of play make him a valuable asset to any team.
However, the defender is reported to cost €55 million, which is a far cry from what Barcelona are willing to spend on the player. In order to earn his services, the Blaugranas are contemplating sacrificing one of their young jewels.
According to Javi Miguel of Diario AS, Barcelona will offer loanee, Nico Gonzales, to Villarreal in order to lower the price of Foyth to around €30M because Xavi is still intent on acquiring the player.
Given Catalan’s finances, meeting Villarreal’s original price tag may seem improbable, but a possibile swap with Nico could help lower their demands. Currently on loan at Valencia, Nico has endured a difficult season with injuries interrupting his development.
The youngster does not seem in contention to be a regular at Barcelona and thus appears to be a saleable asset. Considering the highly plausible arrivals of Gundogan and Amrabat, Nico’s future at the Catalan club looks bleak.
In the event this deal with Villarreal materializes, Xavi will obtain a player he has invariably been interested in. Foyth is an excellent ball-playing defender, with a strong ability to carry the ball out of defense and start attacking moves.
He is very comfortable on the ball and has the ability to pick out accurate long passes to his teammates. Foyth’s technique also allows him to make overlapping runs and deliver crosses into the box from the right-back position.
Defensively, Foyth is an aggressive and tenacious player who is not afraid to put in a tackle or challenge for the ball. He is strong in one-on-one situations and has good anticipation and positioning to intercept passes and make clearances. Foyth’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset to any team, as he can comfortably play in multiple positions across the backline.
