Xavi considers the arrival of a top-level defender essential to consolidate the right wing
I cancel, Pavard and Foyth have the coach’s approval, but economic conditions are holding back their arrival for now
Barça 2023-24 will wear a top-level reinforcement on its right side. So you have requested Xavi, and this is what the Barça sports area has promised. It only remains to decide who is chosen to occupy a position that in recent years has generated significant tension within the squad. Just a few days ago it was Koundé himself who expressed his discomfort for having become the most recurring right-back in recent months.
Three names start with a clear advantage from Xavi’s point of view. Three sufficiently contrasted full-backs that, without a doubt, would give a quality leap to a demarcation that has been lame for several seasons. With the approval of the coach and the footballers themselves, his incorporation only depends on balancing the numbers when it comes to sealing a possible transfer.
JOAO CANCELED
At 29, Cancelo understands that this is his great opportunity to join the discipline of FC Barcelona. Despite being on loan to Bayern Munich and having a current contract with Manchester City, the Portuguese defender starts from a premise: he is not willing to continue in the ranks of Bayern and, under no circumstances, is he considering returning to the discipline of City. In this sense, the footballer has a significant advantage, nor does Bayern want to exercise the transfer option stipulated in the loan, nor does Pep Guardiola want to recover a full-back with whom he has had several internal discrepancies.
The handicap, once again, is Cancelo’s market valuation. From City it is reiterated that there is no problem letting Cancelo out, although his departure must be accompanied by a notable transfer. The quantities dance: Its market price fluctuates around 60 million euros but the operation could be feasible for a little less than 40 million. Prices out of market for Barça at the moment.
The most realistic option in a Barca key goes through a transfer. This is how the club has transferred it to Jorge Mendes. The agent knows the conditions to carry out the transaction, although it takes time to try to get City to relax its position and accept that Barça’s path is better than not retaining a player with a conflictive relationship with the coach in their ranks .
BENJAMIN PAVARD
The French side has spent a couple of seasons in the point of view of FC Barcelona. His regular performance and his character have also made him a desired footballer at the Barça club. His contract ends in 2024, he has been making it clear to Bayern Munich for several months that he is not in the business of extending his commitment and that it would be convenient for the Bavarian club to consider an affordable transfer this summer to obtain a fair financial reward for the player’s stage. in the Bundesliga.
At an economic level, it is estimated that the transfer should not go beyond 15-20 million euros taking into account the remaining year of the contract. In these cases, the factor of the variables can be essential to unravel the final price.
Barça waits patiently. Pavard’s case is in the hands of another ‘friendly’ agent, such as Pini Zahavi. He has to be patient until Bayern not only give the final OK to Pavard’s departure but also stipulate a reasonable economic price.
JOHN FOYTH
From Xavi’s point of view, Villarreal’s Argentinian full-back is his favorite footballer to occupy the right-back. Foyth, 25, has progressed brutally in recent months to become a TOP winger. His strength, speed and ability to take most of the ones against ones in which he participates have captivated the Barca coach.
However, Foyth’s problem is very simple: Villarreal. His team is fed up with communicating actively and passively that he has no desire to part with the Argentine footballer. His termination clause amounts to 54 million euros and, according to the words of the Villarreal leaders, there is nothing to negotiate around the player. In addition, the desire to balance economic balances with the departure of some of the numerous forwards that he has on his squad and who are coveted in the market has been noted. Quite a tough nut to crack.
Contacts with Foyth’s entourage have been positive, the player would be up for the task knowing that he is taking a notable leap in his career but he has also made it clear that he does not want to argue with Villarreal and will not tighten the rope.