Barcelona’s Xavi keen on signing €54m right-back ace for squad improvement

In the aftermath of Barcelona’s devastating 0-4 defeat to Real Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, reports have emerged that the club’s manager, Xavi Hernandez, has urged the Catalan giants to prioritise the signing of a new right-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.

According to Javi Miguel of AS, a meeting was held after the game which involved key stakeholders including Xavi, club president Joan Laporta, director Mateu Alemany, and other members of the sporting department. The meeting reportedly concluded that Barcelona needs to bolster its squad in various positions to consistently compete at the highest level.

It is understood that Xavi has emphasised the need for a new right-back, and the club is willing to make a financial effort to secure the right player for the position. As per the report, Xavi’s preferred choice for the role is Juan Foyth of Villarreal and the Argentina national team.

Foyth has been on Barcelona’s radar since last summer, but a move failed due to the player’s injury and Villarreal’s reluctance to lower their financial demands. The 25-year-old defender has a release clause of €54 million in his contract with the Yellow Submarine, and the club has made it clear that they will not negotiate a lower fee.

However, Barcelona is hoping to persuade Villarreal to reconsider their stance by offering a player in exchange for Foyth once the transfer window opens. The Blaugrana are keen to reinforce their squad in the summer and aim to compete with the top teams in the coming seasons.