Barcelona transfer news: Blaugrana showing interest in €25m 'viable' Jules Kounde replacement

Barcelona are reportedly stay funny successful Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu arsenic a imaginable replacement for Jules Kounde.

The France planetary was initially signed from Sevilla successful 2022 arsenic a centre-back, but helium has made the right-back spot his ain during his clip successful Catalonia.

While helium is regarded arsenic Hansi Flick's first-choice right-back, determination is simply a anticipation that Kounde could portion ways with the Blaugrana astatine the extremity of the season.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are each believed to beryllium eyeing a imaginable move for the Barcelona antheral successful the summertime transportation window.

However, Barcelona volition request to find a suitable replacement earlier they see selling the 27-year-old defender.

Barcelona clasp Ratiu interest

Last month, it was reported that the Blaugrana had identified Ratiu arsenic a imaginable people - a subordinate they were linked with past summer.

According to Sport, Barcelona are inactive showing a keen involvement successful the Romania planetary up of the summertime window.

The Catalan giants presumption him arsenic a 'viable' enactment to regenerate Kounde, though it volition not beryllium a straightforward process to prise him distant from Vallecas.

That is due to the fact that Ratiu signed a caller woody with Rayo successful November, extending his declaration until the extremity of the 2029-30 season.

Barcelona are alert that Ratiu's merchandise clause present stands at €25m (£21.6m) pursuing his caller deal.

The Blaugrana could look to negociate a interest little than that clause, which whitethorn necessitate president Joan Laporta to marque afloat usage of his affirmative narration with Rayo president Martin Presa.  

Who is Barcelona's right-back transportation target?

Ratiu came done the Villarreal younker strategy and spent clip connected indebtedness astatine ADO Den Haag earlier helium spent a mates of years with Huesca successful the 2nd tier.

The right-back has go a cardinal fig connected the Rayo broadside since making the determination from Huesca successful the summertime of 2023.

The 27-year-old has featured successful 96 competitory games for Los Franjirrojos, including 44 appearances successful the existent campaign.

Ratiu, who has helped Rayo scope the Conference League semi-finals, is an adventurous full-back who is comfy driving forward, which makes him a suitable acceptable for Hansi Flick's attacking philosophy.