- 14 hours ago
Barcelona target Monaco ace
Barcelona have revived their interest in Monaco ace Vanderson amid full-back uncertainty.
The Blaugrana are on course to win their first LaLiga title since 18/19 after beating Real Madrid in El Clasico, and the club are already planning ahead for the summer.
Despite well-publicised economic trouble that has seen them activate "financial levers" and the recent match-fixing controversy that could cost them dearly if found guilty, Barca are keen to dip into the market to fix some problem areas in their squad.
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One of those spots of bother is the right-back position. While Ronald Araujo performed admirably against Madrid's Vinicius Junior, he is a centre-back by trade, and Barcelona are understood to want someone more natural in that particular area of the field.
With Sergi Roberto on the wrong side of 30 and Sergino Dest struggling for fitness and minutes out on loan at AC Milan, Barcelona have been linked with several full-backs such as Joao Cancelo and Juan Foyth, though the club likely won't be able to afford them.
Is Vanderson the answer?
In light of this, the Blaugrana have been forced to seek out other options, and they may have found their man in AS Monaco's Vanderson.
The Brazilian right-back has been on Barca's radar for some time. In fact, the Catalans already enquired about him in the summer of 2022, only to be rebuffed by the Ligue 1 sides' whopping €60 million price tag.
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Having monitored him throughout this season, Barca's recruitment department is understood to be very impressed with his progress, which in turn has led to a renewed interest in acquiring his services.
According to SPORT's Joaquim Piera, the Blaugrana could consider making a concrete offer for the right-back. Indeed, Vanderson's entourage is said to be already en route to Catalonia to discuss a potential transfer.
🚨🎖| Monaco RB Vanderson, whose agent is Deco, is on Barça’s agenda for the summer, though it depends on his price. [@joaquimpiera] #fcblive pic.twitter.com/FQPyfd8GS3
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) March 22, 2023
Ultimately, everything depends on Monaco's valuation of the right-back who has been a regular fixture in their side since arriving in January 2022. If they hold fast to their €60m valuation, Barcelona likely won't be able to make a move for the Brazilian.