Barça is planning the next season and one of the clear priorities for the summer market will be to strengthen the full-backs, especially the right one. At the club, they consider that the position needs an urgent improvement to provide more alternatives to the team. Currently, Jules Koundé is taking on most of the minutes and, although he is performing at a good level, his match load is excessive.
Koundé is the player with the most accumulated minutes in the entire squad, and this is because Hansi Flick doesn't trust Héctor Fort, who has had few opportunities. Given the lack of rotation and real competition for the French full-back, Barça wants to incorporate a player who can take on starting roles.
The Options Barça Is Considering
Among the options most liked by the technical secretariat is Andrei Ratiu, a player from Rayo Vallecano. The Romanian is having a great season and his profile fits what Barça is looking for: speed, offensive projection, and an affordable clause for the current market, of 25M. His performance in La Liga is being closely followed and it is an option that is valued as a priority if economic conditions allow it.
Another alternative that is liked is Marc Pubill, right-back from Almería. His youth and room for improvement are factors that Barça values highly, especially considering a future investment that can settle in the first team for several years.
The Footballer That Interests Barça and Manchester City
In addition to Ratiu and Pubill, Barça also has Daniel Muñoz, a Colombian full-back from Crystal Palace, on their radar. According to "El Nacional," the South American player has entered the list of possible signings due to his defensive solidity and ability to join the attack. His market value is around 25M, a figure that could be negotiable depending on the circumstances of the English club.
Muñoz has established himself in the Premier League and his experience in such a demanding championship makes him a reliable player. At Barça, they value his maturity, his physique, and his leadership ability in defense. However, the operation wouldn't be easy, especially considering the competition that is looming.
Guardiola Takes the Lead
According to "El Nacional," Pep Guardiola's Manchester City also has a strong interest in Daniel Muñoz and would be leading the negotiations. The English team has more economic capacity than Barça and could close the operation faster, complicating the Catalan options to secure his services.
In this scenario, Barça will have to act quickly if they want to compete for Muñoz or, failing that, focus on closing one of the other available options, such as Ratiu or Pubill.