Barça considers that their defensive line is very good. With footballers like Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, Íñigo Martínez, Andreas Christensen, and Eric García, the club has five reliable center-backs. Cubarsí's consolidation has been key to the team's defensive solidity, and Íñigo Martínez has established himself as his partner.
With these players, at Barça they believe that the defense is covered and that the priority in the transfer market should be to strengthen other positions. However, the sports management doesn't lose sight of the fact that significant departures in the defense could occur, which would require action.
Concerns About Araujo and Christensen's Future
Despite this situation, there is some concern at the club about the future of two of their center-backs. Andreas Christensen, who arrived on a free transfer in 2022, is a footballer with a great reputation in Europe, and at Barça they believe that a sale in the summer could be a good financial operation. His contract expires in 2026, and a possible sale would allow generating income without the risk of him leaving for free later.
On the other hand, Ronald Araujo is also on the radar of several major clubs. His contract includes a 65M clause this summer, a tempting amount for Premier League teams or even Bayern, which has already shown interest. Although the Uruguayan is a key piece in the team, his future is not assured, and any major offer could make Barça consider his sale.
Barça Covers Their Bases
Faced with the possibility of losing Christensen or Araujo, Barça is already covering their bases. According to various reports, the club has agreed on the signing of Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen center-back, who finishes his contract in June and would arrive for free. At 28 years old, Tah is a defender with experience in the Bundesliga and international competitions, making him a reliable option without a transfer cost.
Additionally, Barça also has Dean Huijsen on their radar, the young Bournemouth center-back who is standing out in England and the National Team. At 19 years old, Dean Huijsen is one of the defenders with the greatest projection in Europe, and his profile fits with Barça's policy of betting on young talents. However, his signing will not be easy.
Real Madrid Is Ahead
Barça's interest in Huijsen could be thwarted by competition from Real Madrid. According to the Madrid press, the white club is very alert to the center-back's situation and could get ahead in the bidding. Bournemouth, aware of the player's potential, has set his price at 50M, a high figure for Barça, which still has financial limitations.
If Madrid decides to pay his clause, Barça could be left without one of their preferred options to strengthen the defense in the long term. This would force the sports management to look for alternatives in the market or to fully trust what they have. In any case, Barça's defensive planning will depend on the moves made in the summer and the possible departures of Andreas Christensen or Ronald Araujo.