Villarreal Unwilling To Sell €55 Million-Rated Barcelona Right-Back Target
While the incorporation of a defensive midfielder remains Barcelona’s absolute priority, the team has not forgotten about the acquisition of a right-back. In that context, Villarreal’s Juan Foyth continues to have Xavi’s preference, but the Yellow Submarines still have not changed their stance on the player.
It must be remembered that Barça tried to acquire Foyth in the last summer transfer market, but Villarreal’s reluctance forced them to look for alternatives.
The team ended up signing Hector Bellerin, who lasted just six months at the club. Jules Kounde has played the majority of the 2022/23 season as a makeshift right-back, a position he does not wish to continue in any longer.
This summer, Barcelona expected things to change considering Villarreal’s troubling finances but as Adria Fernandez writes for SPORT, there is absolutely no way that the La Liga side will sanction Foyth’s sale to Barcelona as they consider him their franchise footballer.
Like Barcelona, Villarreal, too, are struggling to cope with the La Liga salary rule. The team needs to lower their wage bill and for that, they are most likely to go on a selling spree. While there are several players on the list, Foyth is considered to be untouchable and it has already been communicated with the footballer and his agent.
In turn, the team is of the idea that they have some excessive resources in the offensive part of the team while a certain Pau Torres can bring in some profit too. All this means the only way Barcelona can sign Juan Foyth is by paying his termination clause which is said to be worth almost €55 million.
Last summer, the value was said to be €42 million, but a stipulated clause hiked the figure by 30% during the last five days of the transfer market. All this comes as a major blow for Barcelona as there is an urgent need to sign a full-fledged right-back to compete in Europe next season.
Joao Cancelo of Manchester City is an option for the Blaugrana, with reports suggesting that he could be available for €40 million. Whether they push for him or continue to persist with their efforts for Foyth remains to be seen.
