How Barcelona are trying to steal Vanderson from Man Utd and Newcastle

FT Desk

22 Sep 2022 09:09 CDT
3 min read

Vanderson has been attracting interest from the Premier League and beyond with his glittering performances with Monaco, but Barcelona could steal ahead of English clubs in the race for his signature.

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Manchester United and Newcastle have long been linked with a move for the Brazilian right-back, with the former unconvinced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the latter looking to build a squad more befitting of the richest club in the world.

Monaco paid Gremio €11 million for Vanderson in January, and his performances so far suggest he could clearly help either team.

✍️ AS Monaco are pleased to announce the extension of Vanderson's contract for one additional season. The 21-year-old Brazilian full-back is now signed with the club until June 2027. 🇲🇨⤵️#Vanderson2027 pic.twitter.com/HWpsvNYfHP
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) August 17, 2022

A bundle of energy from right-back, Vanderson has averaged 20 pressures per game since arriving in the principality, whilst also averaging three touches per 90 minutes in the opposition penalty area.

Monaco's decision to tie Vanderson to a five-year deal in August already looks to be a shrewd one, with the 21-year-old's value doubling to €22m per Football Transfers' sophisticated in-house algorithm.

Raphina's example

Barca are aware that getting into a bidding war with the Premier League clubs might not end well, but they have an ace up their sleeve in the shape of Rafinha.

The Brazil winger even discussed terms with Chelsea before making his €50m move from Leeds to Barcelona this summer, but he always maintained that it was his priority to move to Camp Nou.

As well as having a fellow Brazilian in the dressing room, Raphinha's example could help keep Vanderson's price down if he employs the same tactics as his compatriot.

"Mateu Alemany [Barca's sporting director] will try to get the player to cooperate to get a feasible price from Monaco," write Catalan daily Sport ES. "Barca doesn't have the financial muscle to compete with the English clubs and if it turns into a bidding war, they'll withdraw.

"Vanderson should take note of his compatriot, Raphinha. The winger was impossible to persuade for months, and his resilience won him the price of wearing the Blaugrana jersey."

Barca signed Hector Bellerin on a free transfer from Arsenal this summer, but the incumbent right-back at Camp Nou only has a one-year contract.