Barcelona ‘like’ four right-backs, but without consensus in the coaching staff

Barcelona have made their aim to sign a new right-back into the club at the earliest possible. Hector Bellerin has struggled to deliver at the levels expected while Sergi Roberto has had to deal with injury problems again.

It has forced Xavi Hernandez to often utilise Jules Kounde at right-back. But the manager had promised the Frenchman that he would primarily play as a centre-back at Barça and intends to keep that word, which is why he is pushing to sign a new right-back.

And, according to Toni Juanmarti, Barcelona have four names on their list of potential right-back targets but do not have a total consensus on one particular name.

The four names on the list are Juan Foyth of Villarreal, Girona’s Arnau Martinez, Manchester United ace Diogo Dalot and Sporting CP star Pedro Porro.

Among the four, the report states that Foyth is seen as the player who fits the bill the most. The Argentine had been linked with Barcelona during the summer as well but an injury late in the transfer window led to the move collapsing.

However, Barça have maintained their interest in the 24-year-old. While Foyth fits the profile of the player that the Catalans are looking for, his €40 million release clause is seen as an impediment at a time when the club are struggling with Financial Fair Play issues.

As for Dalot, the Portuguese international’s contract with Manchester United expires in 2023. But manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that the Red Devils will be triggering a one-year unilateral extension for the right-back, putting him out of reach as well.

Porro made his move to Sporting CP permanent this past summer and could command a sizeable fee while Martinez, a former La Masia trainee, does not have much experience at the highest level of football.

The Blaugrana are yet to reach a total consensus on who among these four players they wish to land to reinforce the right-back slot.

With the window not far away, Barcelona must finalise their plans and start working towards signing their intended targets. However, unless they are able to resolve the Fair Play issues, bringing in new faces could become difficult.