The Blaugrana are in the market for full-backs with Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui and Benfica’s Alejandro Grimaldo among their targets. The club is facing competition from their European counterparts for their signatures, however.
Jordi Alba on the left, Dani Alves on the right; Barcelona’s defense is flanked by the same pair in 2022 as it was half a decade ago. The Brazilian’s return in January ended Sergi Roberto and Sergino Dest’s claim at the right of the defense, while on the left, for years, Alba has kept young suitors at bay. However, things could change this summer if the latest batch of transfer rumors are to be believed.
For the right full-back position, Barcelona are interested in signing Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui, as per Fabrizio Romano. The Moroccan international’s contract is up after this season, and he will leave his boyhood club for free barring any dramatic, last-minute 180-degree turn.
Bayern Munich, too, are keeping taps on Mazraoui but are yet to decide whether to approach him and his representatives officially or not. Barcelona, on the other hand, are willing to offer the 24-year-old a 5 million euros-a-season contract.
Arsenal, Leeds United, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan are also admirers of Mazraoui, who, in his five years with the senior team, has made 130 appearances and scored 10 goals.
For the left, Barcelona are preparing a bid for La Masia graduate, and Benfica stalwart, Alejandro ‘Alex’ Grimaldo, say reports. The 26-year-old, who signed for Benfica in 2016 and has made 240 appearances for the senior team since, will be without a contract in 2023, meaning Barcelona could attempt to strike a deal with his current side for a reduced fee. To facilitate Grimaldo’s return, the Blaugrana could send Alejandro Balde – presently the back-up to Alba – out on loan.
However, again, Barcelona aren’t the only club interested in recruiting Grimaldo. Juventus, too, are keen to add the Spaniard to their ranks, given that the only options they have at left-back at the moment are the aging Alex Sandro and Mattia di Sciglio and youngster Luca Pellegrini.
