Exclusive: Barça duo Robert and Urbano in Andorra to spy on Lichtsteiner

Exclusive: Barça duo Robert and Urbano in Andorra to spy on Lichtsteiner

IVAN SAN ANTONIO 

The sporting director and scout are checking in on the Swiss full-back as they look for a new right-back

Sergi Roberto won't play against Deportivo La Coruna because of a muscle problem in his adductor. Jordi Alba is also missing, too, with a hamstring strain, leaving Luis Enrique without both of his full-backs. 

The replacement at left-back is Lucas Digne, but on the right side Aleix Vidal doesn't count under Luis Enrique, not recently, anyway, as he's been discarded for the last six Barcelona matches since the defeat to Alaves. 

With this as the scenario, it's normal that the club look at other right-back options. The objective is Joao Cancelo, but Barça won't shut the door on anything. It's for that reason sporting director Robert Fernandez and scout Urbano Ortega have gone to Andorra for their World Cup qualifier against Switzerland. 

The idea is to watch right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, a veteran who plays for Juventus and has been relegated to the bench by Dani Alves. He's a 32-year-old defender, 33 in January, but is an attacking full-back. In addition, Juve have not added him to their Champions League squad this season, so he could play for another side in the competition. 

His contract expires next June, so it wouldn't be a problem to sign him from the Italian champions, where his days look numbered. The player would be delighted to come, initially as a short-term option, either in January or next summer.