Barcelona have identified the backline as an area that requires improvement. The former La Liga champions have struggled when it comes to defending and have had to rely on La Masia graduates, Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza, and Eric Garcia.
Mingueza has found it difficult to break into Xavi’s XI as compared to his teammates, Araujo and Garcia. While the Barcelona boss has also relied on his former teammate Gerard Pique, the likes of Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have fallen down the pecking order and are no longer considered untouchable.
With the current financial crisis rampaging the Blaugrana, the Spanish giants are keeping a close watch on the free-agent market. The likes of Andres Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Niklas Sule have been linked with a move to Barcelona. Sule in particular could be on his way out of Bayern, headed towards Spain for the next season. The German defender’s contract runs out at the end of the season and the Bavarians want to tie him down. Having said that, Barcelona’s interest in signing him could shake things a little.
As per Christian Falk, Barca have added the 26-year-old to their transfer wishlist. The former La Liga champions have identified the Bayern defender as a good market opportunity, with their inability to spend big on players coming to the fore. With that said, Sule is currently in talks with other clubs as well, as per Julian Nagelsmann.
“The club has made him an offer, which he has not yet signed,” Julian Nagelsmann revealed when asked about Sule’s future.
“Players like him are not on the market that often. He is certainly in talks with other clubs. There is nothing more to report. You have to ask the player.”
Are Barca the only ones in the race to sign Sule?
FC Barcelona will not find it easy to sign Sule as the CB is said to have attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, and relegation-threatened Newcastle United.
Chelsea could potentially lose Antonio Rudiger and Andres Christensen on a Bosman at the end of the season, with the former Premier League champions trying their best to extend their contracts.
Bayern Munich do not want to lose out on Sule as they have offered the German international a new contract, one that hasn’t yet been signed by the 26-year-old.
Do Barcelona stand a chance?
Barcelona are in the race with a good chance. At Camp Nou, Sule will have the opportunity to register regular minutes on the pitch. With Rudiger tipped to move to Madrid and Eder Militao coming good for the Los Blancos, it is highly unlikely that reinforcing the backline will be one of the main priorities for the Whites, who have been trying to sign Kylian Mbappe as well.
As it stands, the Blaugrana is free to open official pre-contract talks with the 26-year-old this month and reach a verbal agreement. With that said, Sule has been reported to be feeling ‘underappreciated’ in Munich, as per Falk.
A medical student with an avid interest for the game.
