The hunt for a right-back continues at FC Barcelona, with no new player for this position still signed with less than ten days left till the 2023-24 La Liga season starts. The club has been linked with a number of players for this position this summer but remains to tie one down officially with the club.
According to Mundo Deportivo, this quest for a competent right-back has been further complicated by the fact that the club’s technical staff and management are now prioritizing a move for an attacking midfielder, before going in for a right-back.
Thus, the Catalan club would have only a minimal budget to get themselves a right-back, and there are four players who are preferred by the club and Xavi.
Joao Cancelo
The report mentions that Cancelo is the best-placed player to come to Barcelona for this position, but he will arrive only on a loan for now. The club has already met his agent, Jorge Mendes, multiple times recently, with the last meeting taking place in the middle of July. The major problem with his signing is his high salary, which the club cannot afford if they sign Bernardo Silva as well.
Juan Foyth
The Villareal defender, Juan Foyth, is another player that is liked by Xavi, especially because of his experience playing in La Liga despite still only being 25 years of age. However, he would cost Barcelona a significant transfer fee, which Barcelona cannot even contemplate at this time.
Ivan Fresneda
Fresneda has also been strongly linked with the Catalan club in the last few weeks, especially as he meets the requirements of being young and having room for further growth. However, there is no technical consensus on him at the club, as some stakeholders at the club believe he does not have enough experience.
His €20 million release clause is negotiable, and the club has already contacted his agent. However, no progress has been made and the players keep waiting for Barcelona, especially as Dortmund also have not made a move for him after showing interest in the last winter.
Arnau Martinez
The player upon whom everyone at the Catalan club agrees is another La Liga defender, Arnau Martinez. The 20-year-old plays for Girona, and while he is also young, like Fresneda, Xavi sees him as much more developed than the Real Valladolid right-back.
Barcelona knows that Martinez will cost around €20 million, but his price is not negotiable. Atletico Madrid has offered €18 million for him, but Girona did not accept their offer as they wanted the entire release clause of the player to be paid.
Thomas Meunier was another option that Jordi Cruyff was considering when he was still at the club, and he would be the cheapest option among these players, but the club is no more considering his signing.
Barcelona will have to move quickly to get their right-back, as any player coming would also need time to adapt to the new club, and time is running out before La Liga kicks off later this month.
