Fierce competition: Barça, attentive to the future of one of the best full-backs in LaLiga

Andrei Ratiu is shaping up to be one of the possible 'bargains' of the upcoming summer market in LaLiga. At least regarding right-backs. The defender from Rayo Vallecano signed with the Madrid team until 2028, but his release clause is only 25 million euros. This factor puts him on the radar of FC Barcelona and other 'heavyweights' from Spain and Europe, including Atlético de Madrid and Roma. 

However, Barça would only be interested in the Romanian defender if they part ways with one of their two available 'stars' for the right side: Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo. The Frenchman is on Arsenal's radar, although the 'Gunners' do not seem willing to pay the 70 million euros that, at a minimum, Barça demands to let him go. The 'Charrúa', for his part, will not leave for less than 80 'kilos', provided he returns to his usual level in the first half of 2025.

Villarreal does not rule out acquiring the rest of Andrei Ratiu's rights

Additionally, another factor conditions Ratiu's future in Vallecas and has to do with the club that still holds 50% of his sporting rights: Villarreal. The 'Yellow Submarine' transferred him 'for free' to Huesca in 2021, while the Aragonese team did the same with Rayo in 2023, receiving only 500,000 euros for the operation.

This season, the Romanian has 1 goal and 1 assist in 16 matches (1,373 minutes) with Rayo, having missed only a couple of matches (one of them against Barça) due to injury. Andrei is also on Atlético de Madrid's radar, as Diego Simeone does not seem completely satisfied with Marcos Llorente and Nahuel Molina as the only alternatives on the right. Both 'Colchoneros' and Villarreal could fully enter the bidding for Ratiu starting in January, something unfeasible for Barça, which will not incorporate players in the market that begins next week.