Barcelona want to sign a starting right-back ahead of next season – report

Barcelona did not spare any efforts in strengthening their squad this past summer and ended up making several top signings, including Robert Lewandowski.

While they may have hit a rough patch of sorts recently, there is no doubt about the quality of the squad at Xavi Hernandez’s disposal. And now, plans are already being made for the next couple of transfer windows to further reinforce the roster so that they can return to the top.

It has been recently reported that Barça wish to sign a new midfielder in January to replace captain Sergio Busquets.

Now, SPORT is claiming that the Catalan giants also wish to sign a new starting right-back ahead of the next season.

As things stand, Barcelona have Sergi Roberto and Hector Bellerin as their natural options i the right-back slot. Both of them will be out of contract at the end of the season, and as things stand, a renewal seems unlikely.

Xavi had convinced the Barcelona board to renew Roberto, but the club captain has not done enough to warrant a place in the side even though he seemed to have started the season positively.

As for Bellerin, the former La Masia ace, returning from Arsenal, has hardly played, having been injured over the past three weeks or so.

So, with at least one of the two or both likely to be released before next season, Barcelona will need to bring in a new right-back who can slot into the starting XI right away.

The name of Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has been mentioned a lot in recent weeks, although the Red Devils are likely to extend his contract until 2024.

Vanderson of AS Monaco has been touted as another option that Barcelona might look at, although his €60 million price tag could prove to be prohibitive.

It remains to be seen who the Catalans go after and whether they are prepared to wait until the summer to sign a new right-back or bring those plans forward to the January window itself.

The post Barcelona want to sign a starting right-back ahead of next season – report appeared first on Barca Universal.

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