One of Barcelona’s priorities in the upcoming transfer market will be to sign a new right-back to replace Jules Kounde, especially after Hector Fort failed to convince coach Hansi Flick.
The difference between the two players at Barcelona is very clear: Kounde has played 2,070 minutes in the league, while Fort has only played 370. Therefore, the sporting management plans to strengthen this position with a more reliable player, which would allow Fort the opportunity to go out on loan.
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According to information from the Catalan newspaper “Sport,” one of the names that Barcelona is looking to sign is André Ratiu, the Rayo Vallecano full-back. Deco has been following Ratiu’s performance for weeks. Ratiu is a suitable option due to his physical strength and defensive abilities, qualities that make him one of the best full-backs in La Liga.
Ratiu gained great fame after his excellent marking of Vinicius Junior in the match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano last season, in his first appearance in La Liga. In that match, the Romanian player put in a great defensive performance, managing to completely stop Vinicius, preventing him from scoring or providing any assists.
In addition to his defensive skills, Ratiu has great physical abilities. This season, he has recorded the second-highest speed in La Liga, which makes him a great defender in 1-on-1 situations, especially against fast wingers.
Despite his defensive skills, Ratiu still contributes offensively, having scored two goals and provided two assists this season. Ratiu currently has a release clause of €25 million, and it seems that Rayo Vallecano will not be willing to negotiate this amount.
Although Kounde has established himself as a regular right-back for Barcelona, it must be remembered that the team has not had a right-back at this level for almost 10 years.
