Promoted La Liga side to make summer approach for Barcelona defender | OneFootball

Barcelona are planning to address their defensive options this summer, with both signings and exits expected. Right-back is the area where there is the most uncertainty, and there are chances for multiple departures.

Jules Kounde, who has been the club’s regular starter at right-back for the vast majority of his three-year spell in Catalonia, is coming off a very disappointing 2025-26 campaign from an individual standpoint, which has led to doubts about his future at the Spotify Camp Nou. Barcelona are reportedly open to hearing offers for his services, whereas he’s keen to stay, but whatever happens, it is unlikely to have much of an impact on the future of Xavi Espart.

19-year-old broke into the Barcelona first team during the 2025-26 season, and he delivered a couple of impressive performances. Hansi Flick rates him highly, but given that he would be far down the right-back pecking order going into the new campaign, there are chances for him to play first team football elsewhere.

According to MD, Espart has chances to play regularly in La Liga next season, with newly-promoted side Real Racing Club de Santander said to be preparing an offer to take him on loan. The Cantabrians expect the teenager to be made available this summer, and they are positioning themselves at the front of the queue.

Racing tried to sign Espart in January

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

During the winter transfer window in January, Racing made their move to try and sign Espart for the second half of the 2025-26 season. Barcelona initially showed willingness to let him go, but the deal fell through when Hansi Flick told sporting director Deco that he wanted to keep the young defender as a backup option.