Barcelona identify 5 targets after surprise Jules Kounde transfer decision | OneFootball

Barcelona are expected to sign a new right-back in the summer but the identity of their transfer targets will reportedly depend on the future of Jules Kounde.

The versatile Frenchman has been Hansi Flick's undisputed first-choice option on the right-hand side of an aggressive backline this season, starting almost every game when he isn't being punished for his erratic timekeeping.

Unlike the fleet of teammates who have penned new deals - including the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Ronald Araujo - Kounde is yet to settle on improved terms. If the 26-year-old does not extend his current deal beyond 2027 this summer, Barcelona will try to cash in during the imminent transfer window, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo state.

If Kounde is ushered out of the door, the club's first-choice replacement is Monaco full-back Vanderson. Fellow Catalan outlet SPORT back up this claim, describing the Brazilian flier as in "pole position" for a move to Spain.

However, Monaco are expected to demand €40m (£33.5m) for the 23-year-old. Vanderson's compatriot Wesley, who earned his first senior Brazil call-up this month, has also been floated and could be available for roughly €35m (£29.3m). In the event that Kounde sticks around, Barcelona have also drawn up a shortlist of more affordable alternatives.

Vanderson is a key target / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

Rayo Vallecano's jet-heeled Andrei Ratiu has been tipped to switch Madrid for Catalonia in the summer. Valued at around €25m (£20.9m), any move for the 26-year-old would be considerably more expensive than the sum Almeria are set to demand for Marc Pubill.

The upright full-back was part of Spain's Olympic-winning squad in the summer yet currently finds himself in the Spanish second tier. The 21-year-old does have some experience of La Liga after coming through Levante's youth teams.

The final option is also the most familiar. Oscar Mingueza joined Barcelona's youngest age group and made it all the way into the first team, amassing 66 senior appearances before joining Celta Vigo on a free transfer in 2022. After a surprisingly blistering start to the current campaign, the 25-year-old could feasibly return to Camp Nou (or Montjuic, depending on the continually delayed construction.

Barcelona prepared for this eventuality by inserting a buy-back clause into Mingueza's contract worth just €10m (£8.4m).