Barcelona will aim to strengthen two other positions instead of focusing on finding a new right-back

Source: Wikimedia Commons 

 

Given that the team lacked a natural right-back going into the summer, it was anticipated that Barcelona would prioritise acquiring a new right-back.

After a miserable six months, Hector Bellerin was released in January. He had been signed last summer. Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo, both of whom prefer to play as centre-backs, have been filling in for Xavi in this capacity.

As a result, the Catalans were rumoured to be searching for a top-tier right-back in the summer. Club president Joan Laporta confirmed this in a public setting. There have been connections made between names like Thomas Meunier, Diogo Dalot, Juan Foyth, and more recently, Vanderson.

Nevertheless, a recent report from Mundo Deportivo's Ferran Martinez claims that Barcelona is no longer prioritising the acquisition of a new right-back during the summer transfer window.

A new right-back is not now a priority, according to the report, which claims that club executives attended a meeting to discuss the summer transfer strategy while the current international break was in progress.

Officials believe they may need to spend at least €40–50 million to get a good right-back, which they are unable to do given their financial predicament and the necessity to bolster other positions.

However, the Blaugrana believe that Kounde and Araujo, who would be have to play at right-back in crucial matches even if someone new arrived, provide them with adequate coverage in the position.

However, they have also extended Sergi Roberto's contract since they feel he offers a little bit more in the way of attacking support than Kounde and Araujo do. Thus, while not fully ruling it out, Barça won't make finding a new right-back a top priority.

Instead, they will concentrate on bringing in two new midfielders, one for the pivot position and the other for the inside role.

Strong rumours around Ilkay Gundogan, who will be a free agency in the summer, have arisen due to Pedri's injury concerns as well as the fact that the team suffers when he is out.

Regarding the pivot spot, Sergio Busquets' uncertain future is a concern. Even if he extends, it would be advantageous for Barcelona to have a captain's succession plan in place. As a result, Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina is still connected.