Barcelona Director Deco also discussed €4m La Liga full-back with Pedri’s agent – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona made significant progress in one of their high-priority operations for the upcoming months as Deco held a meeting with Pedri’s agent, Hector Peris, yesterday.

The meeting ended with good feelings on both sides, but an agreement between the two sides is yet to be reached as there are some details of the new contract that have yet to be ironed out.

However, Pedri was not the only player discussed in this meeting as Mundo Deportivo reports that the Rayo Vallecano fullback, Andrei Rațiu, was another player that the two individuals discussed.

The €4m-rated Romanian defender pulled himself to prominence in the last UEFA EURO 2024 and has attracted the interest of some of the big sides in Europe, including Tottenham, Roma, Napoli, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The agent, who also has Rațiu as a client, understands that Barcelona are looking in the market for more fullbacks and that they have already shown an interest in the Romanian fullback.

For now, Hansi Flick has Jules Kounde and Hector Fort as his two options for the right-back position. The Frenchman has played the vast majority of matches in this position, but his substitute is a rather inexperienced fullback, and the 26-year-old Rațiu’s greater national and club experience can make him an attractive target for the Blaugranes.

The Catalans are also keeping a close eye on the defender’s evolution at Rayo Vallecano, with whom Rațiu has a contract till 2028. However, Villarreal have a right to buy him back and have a 50% ownership right on him.

But a move for the defender is not expected to be made in January, as Barcelona are unlikely to have any wage margin, and we will have to wait till the next summer transfer window to see whether Pedri and Rațiu’s agent can successfully pitch his client to the Blaugrana decision makers.