Andrei Ratiu and Vanderson: Barça looks for Jules Koundé's successor

FC Barcelona keeps the door open to signing another right-back this summer. The club's confidence in Jules Koundé's continuity is total, but everything points to Héctor Fort leaving in the summer in search of more prominence in another team, which will leave the squad short of players for the right-back position. In that sense, Deco and Joan Laporta have several names on their agenda for the next transfer window.

On the one hand, the Blaugrana team is attentive to the future of Andrei Ratiu. The Romanian has a contract with Rayo until 2028 and a release clause close to 25 million euros. However, Barça would try to get his signing in exchange for about 10 'kilos', an attractive amount for a Rayo that only paid 500,000 euros for his transfer in 2023.

This season, the 26-year-old defender has 2 goals and 3 assists in 30 matches (2,557 minutes) with Iñigo Pérez's team. For the Blaugrana team, the idea is to incorporate an experienced player, but with a low profile to give Koundé more rest. The Frenchman has played practically everything this season and accumulates an incredible streak of consecutive appearances between club and national team (102 consecutive matches, 84 of them with the Culés).

Vanderson, another full-back who could fit in Flick's Barça

Another option highly valued by Deco is the Brazilian Vanderson. The Monaco defender arrived in Ligue 1 in 2022 in exchange for 11 million euros and his value already reaches 20 'kilos' in Transfermarkt. Hence, it is difficult for those from the Principality to let him go for a smaller amount, considering that his contract expires in 2028.

This season, the player from Rondonópolis has contributed a couple of goals and 5 assists in 2,863 minutes (30 appearances) with Monaco. For speed, quality and youth (23 years old), it would be a very interesting bet, although his transfer would imply a significant expense for the club. If Barça closes an important sale and manages to return to the 1:1 rule soon, it is likely that the board will reactivate contacts with the defender's environment.