Barcelona Explores Left-Back Options Amidst Injury Woes
Injuries have emerged as a significant challenge for Barcelona this season, with key players like De Jong, Gavi, Lewandowski, Pedri, Raphinha, Ter Stegen, and Iñigo Martínez sidelined due to various physical issues. The latest casualty, Balde, will not return to play, prompting the club’s sporting management to consider potential solutions. Despite weighing the option of immediate reinforcements, the decision has been made to rely on existing resources and await the summer transfer market. With both Balde and Marcos Alonso, who underwent surgery for lumbar problems, unavailable, the left-back position finds itself without its designated starters.
Anticipating possible needs, Barcelona has inquired about the availability of three players for the left-back role: Tagliafico, Estupiñán, and Jonny Otto. The inquiries have been exploratory, gauging the potential interest and circumstances of these players without committing to formal negotiations.
A Familiar Face The name of Nico Tagliafico is not new to Barcelona. The Argentine defender came close to joining the Blaugrana in January 2022 while playing for Ajax. Tagliafico confirmed this during an interview with ‘Cadena Ser’: “In the last winter transfer window, we had it closed with the club. It was missing the two clubs agreeing with each other, and it didn’t happen. I don’t know if Ajax wanted 4 or 5 million euros for a transfer, and Barça wanted a loan with an option to buy, but my club wasn’t willing. Winter markets are short and complicated. From what I know, there has been no contact for the summer.” Currently a key player for Olympique de Lyon, Tagliafico won the World Cup in Qatar, despite his team facing sporting challenges and the threat of relegation.
On the other hand, Estupiñán is regaining form at Brighton after overcoming an injury that kept him out for several weeks. In his second season with the team under De Zerbi, Estupiñán previously played for Villarreal. Meanwhile, Jonny Otto, the third candidate, recently made a move from Wolverhampton to the Greek club PAOK.
