Barcelona analyse €20m proposal in bid to land 27-year-old La Liga right-back — Report | OneFootball

The right-back position has been a cause for concern for FC Barcelona this season. Last year, Jules Kounde put his hand up and made the position his own, performing at an extremely high level throughout the campaign.

This time around, however, the Frenchman has struggled to find form and looks a pale shadow of his imperious self. His lack of confidence is causing a dynamic issue on the right flank and is also hampering Lamine Yamal’s game.

Eric has also been used there in certain matches and, to his credit, has done extremely well. However, with the 24-year-old needing more in central defence, signing a new right back is a necessity for Barcelona.

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The club was linked with Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz, but that move now seems unlikely. According to Fichajes, Barcelona are analysing a €20 million offer to sign Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano.

However, Rayo Vallecano remain firm on their €25 million release clause and are reportedly unwilling to negotiate below that figure.

The 27-year-old Romanian’s growth in La Liga has been evident, and Barcelona view him as a potential low-cost option to reinforce the right flank. He could hold his own in that role when Flick wants to rest Kounde.

In hindsight, Barcelona’s decision to loan Hector Fort to Elche for the rest of the season feels short-sighted. The La Masia graduate could have been Kounde’s alternative on the right, and it may be better to recall him than spend money on a January signing.