Villarreal and Argentina's Foyth is still the right-back that Xavi wants
The defender was a target last summer but was too expensive
Strengthening at right-back is one of the priorities for both the coaching staff and the sports committee at FC Barcelona. And the footballer that Xavi Hernández likes the most is still Juan Foyth, with whom he already contacted last summer when the option of signing César Azpilicueta fell through. Foyth's representative, Claudio Curti, even met Mateu Alemany at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
Barça are aware it will be difficult to sign a player in the winter transfer window due to the problems with the financial fair play rules in LaLiga, so the right-back position will have to be covered with Bellerín, Sergi Roberto and the two center backs Ronald Araujo and Jules Koundé, who have played in this position several games when Xavi has needed them.
Of course, with a view to the summer market, that position must be covered, since both Bellerín and Sergi Roberto are out of contract.
Barça hve not contacted Foyth nor his entourage since last summer, but they intend to do so again because he is still the player the coach likes the most for the role as the Argentine, currently in Qatar playing in the World Cup, is a footballer similar to Azpilicueta, able to act across the backline.
In fact, he already became a target when Azpi decided to stay at Chelsea, but Villarreal, given the few days remaining before the window closed, referred Barça to his release clause, which was €42 million. In addition, Foyth seriously injured his knee on August 28, reappearing in the final game before the World Cup against Espanyol.
OTHER OPTIONS
Foyth is number one on Xavi's list for a new right-back, but his signing will always depend on Villarreal, since the player has a contract until June 30, 2026, and also on the movements that LaLiga allow Barça to make. Barça believe the departure of Unai Emery could facilitate the departure of the Argentine.
At the same time, other options are being studied, such as the Portuguese right-back Diogo Dalot, who will face Barça with Manchester United in the Europa League, and Thomas Meunier. The Belgian's contract with Borussia Dortmund expires in 2024 and he is a player liked by Jordi Cruyff, Barça's sports director.
