Barcelona compile shortlists to address problem positions

Barcelona are reported to have compiled a list of three potential targets to address a shortage at right-back this season, as well as monitoring options on the left.

The first-team squad lacks a natural right-back, having seen Joao Cancelo leave at the end of last season when his loan from Manchester City finished. Jules Kounde has been the starter there for some time but was originally signed from Sevilla to be a central defender.

Barca Atletic pair Gerard Martin and Hector Fort have helped plug gaps on either side this season.

The club are still not expected to recruit in the upcoming January transfer window, instead using the reported imminent return to 1:1 spending to secure vital registrations for Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in the second half of the season, as well as sign off contract renewals for Gavi and Pedri.

But SPORT notes that plans are already being made for the summer and defensive reinforcement.

Almeria’s Marc Pubill is said to be still be of interest after appearing on the radar ahead of this season. The 21-year-old, who won an Olympic gold medal with Spain during the summer, hails from Catalonia and has previously spent time at Levante and Espanyol.

Former target Ivan Fresneda may not be back on the radar just yet, having been tied up with an €80m release clause when he joined Sporting CP from Real Valladolid in 2023. But there is Devyne Rensch at Ajax, on course to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Monaco’s Vanderson is again linked, the Brazilian having impressed over the past couple of seasons as a more all-action attacking right-back compared to Kounde. Deco previously recommended Vanderson to Barca in his former role as an adviser to president Joan Laporta.

Barca are believed to have scouted Vanderson when the clubs met in the Champions League in September, as well as Monaco left-back Caio Henrique.

Henrique is an option for the Catalans on the left flank, with his experience at the age of 27 complementary to Alejandro Balde on that side. There is even talk of starting with a loan that turns into a permanent deal later down the line.

Real Madrid-linked Alphonso Davies would be of interest but is expected to command a prohibitive signing fee that would still need to be paid even if a transfer fee isn’t necessary. Barca are ruling out Nicolas Tagliafico based on the fact that he will turn 33 at the start of next season.

Close monitoring of Alex Valle, on loan from Barcelona at…