Borussia Dortmund give green light to Barcelona to sign 30-year-old right-back

Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with Borussia Dortmund over the possible arrival of their 30-year-old right-back Thomas Meunier in the ongoing transfer window.

According to trusted journalist Luis Rojo, Barça want the former PSG full-back on a season-long loan with an option to buy in the summer. The German team is said to have given a green signal to the process, and Barcelona have already held initial talks with the player.

While the deal is thought to be undergoing in extreme confidentiality, a mention of Sergino Dest over a potential swap has also been proposed. Since Xavi has his doubts over Dest’s defensive capabilities, the 42-year-old has welcomed the idea of bringing in a veteran to Camp Nou.

The former Ajax defender, however, is adamant on earning his manager’s trust and is hence seeming reluctant on leaving before having a go. Although the option of a swap deal is put on the table, the Barcelona management itself does not contemplate the idea of Dest leaving the team this month.  

This might very well complicate the entire deal as Dortmund might take a step back as they will have a spot to fill. Meunier, who arrived in Dortmund from PSG in 2020 on a free transfer, has clocked over 2400 minutes for the team this season, meaning that he remains an essential entity for them.

Barcelona’s approach of signing players on a short-term contract is proving out to be a real issue. As was with Nicolas Tagliafico, Dortmund, too, will not want to lose their full-back midway through the season, with UEFA Europa League looming as well. In case they get a replacement, say Dest, the deal will, in fact, take a twist for good.

As things stand, though, Dest will remain a Barcelona player until the end of the season, meaning that it will take a lot of convincing for Barcelona to lure Meunier at Camp Nou.