Barcelona interested in 24-year-old Premier League defender who can solve two positions for Flick | OneFootball

One of the main priorities of FC Barcelona for the upcoming summer transfer window would be the signing of a new center-back, as the Catalans want to reinforce the backline ahead of the 2026-27 season, in which winning the UEFA Champions League would be their top objective.

For this purpose, the Blaugranes have been linked with several top-level defenders in the market. A few weeks ago, they were being linked with the Inter Milan center-back Alessandro Bastoni very strongly, but these links have died down in the last few days, and Barcelona have seemingly turned their attentions away from him.

However, they are now being associated with other notable defenders, and one such name that is now being linked with them is the Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. In this regard, SPORT cites Juanma Castaño of El Partidazo de COPE to report that Barcelona are interested in him, as he meets most of the requirements the Catalans have for this position.

For starters, Gvardiol is a naturally left-footed centre back, and the Blaugranes are looking for exactly such a profile to bring more balance and variety to their defence. Furthermore, he can also play as a left back, a role in which Pep Guardiola has used him quite frequently during his time at Manchester City.

This versatility is another factor that works in the Croatian’s favour, especially as Hansi Flick wants defenders who are comfortable operating in different defensive structures and capable of covering large spaces behind the defensive line.

The Croat is a physically powerful defender who also excels in bringing the ball out from the back, both with his passing and ball carrying. He is also tactically very intelligent and has developed considerably under Guardiola in recent years.

One of his biggest strengths is his ability to defend in open spaces, something that is particularly important in aggressive systems like those used by both Guardiola and Flick. At Manchester City, he has become more than accustomed to taking risks in possession and defending high up the pitch.

Although he started out primarily as a centre back at RB Leipzig, Guardiola converted him into an effective left back after his arrival in England. Initially, there were some doubts regarding his offensive contribution in wide areas, but the Croatian gradually adapted to the role and improved significantly in attacking situations.

This season, he returned more frequently to the centre of defence, while still remaining an option on the left flank whenever needed. Before suffering a tibia fracture, he had scored 2 goals and provided 5 assists in 25 appearances.

The number of appearances for him remained relatively low because he had to spend a significant period on the sidelines due to that injury. Overall, he missed 27 matches for both club and country because of the fracture, and this remains one of the biggest concerns as Barcelona and other top clubs continue to monitor him.

However, his overall numbers at Manchester City still underline the attacking contribution he can make from defence. In 122 appearances for the English side, he has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists.

Interestingly, despite being left-footed, only one of these goals came with his stronger foot, while seven came with his right foot and five with headers. This ability to use both feet comfortably is another aspect of his game that fits well with Barça’s style.

At 24 years of age, with almost 50 appearances already for Croatia, Gvardiol fits the exact profile Barcelona are looking for in the market. He combines youth with top-level experience, while also offering versatility and immediate competitiveness.

However, any operation for him would not be easy financially. Manchester City paid around €90 million to sign him from RB Leipzig, and with a contract running until 2028, Barça would likely need favourable conditions to make such a move possible.

Still, the ongoing transition at Manchester City could open the door for movement in the coming months. In fact, the defender has reportedly also been offered to Real Madrid and other top clubs recently, which suggests there could be openness to a change of scenery.

For Barcelona, the attraction is clear. Gvardiol would not only strengthen the centre of defence alongside Pau Cubarsi, but would also provide another reliable option on the left flank.

Whether such a move becomes feasible remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that the Croatian possesses several qualities that make him a highly attractive profile for Flick’s Barcelona project.