FC Barcelona’s pursuit of Joao Cancelo hit a snag in the summer and he ended up with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. It prompted the club to shift focus toward Jules Kounde and install him as the right-back once again.
Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, Kounde has done well in the right-back position, a role he has increasingly adapted to.
Barcelona’s plans at right-back
Despite this, Barcelona’s sporting directors are actively seeking a dedicated right-back and are exploring the transfer market, reports Mundo Deportivo.
For the current season, Kounde will assume the role of right-back, with Héctor Fort serving as his backup.
However, the La Masia starlet remains the only member of the squad who has yet to feature in the first four matches of the season.
Consequently, Barcelona is eyeing the acquisition of a right-back in the near future. Since Dani Alves’ first stint with the club, Barcelona have struggled to find a permanent solution for this position.
Mingueza and Kimmich on the radar
The report further adds that two potential candidates have emerged so far for the right-back position.
The first is former La Masia defender Oscar Mingueza, currently under contract with Celta Vigo until 2026, with a release clause set at €20 million.
Barcelona hold a buy-back option valued at €9 million for Mingueza. Additionally, the Blaugrana also retain 50% of his economic rights. While the club is monitoring Mingueza closely, no formal action has been taken yet.
The second candidate, noted for his versatility, is Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. Barcelona have expressed interest in the 29-year-old for a while now, more so with the German set to become a free agent next summer.
Kimmich, who has previously worked under Flick both at Bayern Munich and with the German national team, has been utilized as both a right-back and a defensive midfielder. Last season, he mostly played in the full-back role for both his club and national team.
As such, Kimmich could be asked to essay the role of a right-back, should Barcelona succeed in signing him in 2025.
More targets could emerge while the performances of Kounde will also continue to be monitored closely as Barça look to find a long-term solution to the right-back slot.
