Barcelona target confirms transfer interest

Robin Bairner

• 21 Nov 2022 09:31 CST
• 2 min read

Thomas Meunier has confirmed that he was a transfer target for Barcelona in the summer of 2022 – but that Borussia Dortmund would not allow him to leave.

Barca were seeking to add a right-back to their ranks, with the quality of Sergino Dest questioned.

Although the USA international would ultimately make a loan move to Serie A champions Milan, he was not replaced.

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It was not for the want of trying from Barcelona, though, with the Camp Nou side exploring a number of possibilities.

One of the players that they targeted was former PSG right-back Meunier, who has been with Dortmund since 2020.

“Last summer, Barcelona were looking for a proven full-back, a physically strong and complete player at an acceptable price given their economic situation,” he told HLN. “I fit the profile but Borussia Dortmund told me: ‘Sorry, you can’t leave.’”

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Meunier to Barca rumours resurface

Rumours have emerged ahead of the January transfer window that Meunier is once again of interest to Barcelona, although Joan Laporta has claimed that the club have no money with which to buy players.

Meunier will be a tricky player for them to capture, too. An attacking right-back, he has played the majority of Dortmund’s matches when fit. He has, however, been sidelined for the last month because of a fractured cheekbone and is set to make his return at the World Cup.

He is a player who is regarded as better going forward than defending, which is reflected in his statistics, which show that his greatest strengths this season have been in terms of crossing, prevention and passing.

Meanwhile, he boasts ample experience at the highest level of the game, having played more than 30 Champions League matches and 130 times combined in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.