Barring any surprises, FC Barcelona will be looking to manage their finances carefully from now on. The Catalan club has previously been linked to many moves this summer, but Barça simply do not have the means to pursue every target. Instead, FC Barcelona will look to strike a good balance between different kinds of targets.
While the Catalan club want to recruit a new fullback, their options are quite diversified. Barcelona need more reinforcements, and while they have their favorites for that position, it is hardly guaranteed that they would be able to recruit them.
Joao Cancelo, for instance, is the priority target for Barcelona as their new right-back. After his recent loan at the club, Hansi Flick and Barça are more than eager to bring him back for another season. However, the 30-year-old’s transfer will depend heavily on Manchester City, and things do not look too promising at the moment.
That is why, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona already have some backup plans ready to make use of. This includes three fullbacks apart from Cancelo that Barcelona may end up pursuing during this summer transfer window.
The first option is that of Manchester United fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has a profile quite different from that of Cancelo’s. At age 26, the English fullback is more known for his defensive abilities than his offensive contributions, and he currently has a contract with Manchester United until 2025.
Another option on the table is Emerson Royal, aged 25, who happens to be a familiar face for FC Barcelona. Currently a player for Tottenham Hotspur, the Brazilian right-back has an active contract until 2026 with Spurs.
Lastly, there is also the option of Girona fullback Arnau Martinez, who is the youngest of the three options. Currently aged just 21, he has a contract with the Catalan club until 2025. However, his experience in La Liga would suit Barcelona better, as it has yielded much better results than that of Royal’s in the past.
For now, the priority is still Joao Cancelo, but Barcelona will have a hard time getting him. That is because Manchester City would prefer permanently selling him, and the best option for that route right now seems to be the interest from Saudi Arabia. For Barcelona, at least today, bringing Joao Felix and Cancelo back seems difficult.
