According to Diario AS, Barcelona see Villarreal defender Juan Foyth as the favoured candidate to reinforce the right-back position in the January transfer window.
Barça will enter the market in the winter for a new right-sided full-back – a move that is seen as an absolute priority by manager Xavi Hernandez.
The 42-year-old is set to fly to Qatar for the World Cup in the coming days but will meet with the club officials before that to finalise the transfer plans for the upcoming window.
And, as iterated earlier, strengthening the right-back position is seen as the utmost priority at this moment. Such a move is understandable as well, considering that Hector Bellerin, who joined in the summer, has flattered to deceive so far.
Several names, ranging from Arnau Martinez to Pedro Porro to Diogo Dalot, have been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks.
But, as per the aforementioned report, it is Juan Foyth who is seen as the ‘number one objective’ by the Catalan giants.
The 24-year-old Argentina international was a target for the Blaugrana back during the summer as well. However, an injury he picked up late in the window put an end to any chances of a transfer materialising.
Foyth returned to full fitness just before the teams broke for the World Cup and even grabbed two assists in Villarreal’s last game against CD St. Amalia in the Copa del Rey.
The former Tottenham Hotspur ace is a player that Barcelona had their eyes fixed on in the summer. Considering that they were willing to push for him then, it should not come as a surprise that the 24-year-old is seen as a priority target again.
However, with the club operating under stringent financial circumstances and his contract with Villarreal running until 2026, whether it would be a feasible operation for Barcelona will be the major question.