Barcelona right-back target set for audition against them in upcoming La Liga clash | OneFootball

Although strengthening the forward line is their priority for the next summer transfer window, another area that FC Barcelona would ideally want to reinforce before the start of the next season is that of the flanks.

For this purpose, the Catalans have been linked with several players in the last few months. One such player has been the Romanian fullback Andrei Rațiu. As SPORT has noted, the Rayo Vallecano defender will be playing against FC Barcelona in this match and thus will have a lot of spotlight focused on him.

The Romanian fullback has stood out in the last few seasons with his physical skills and his ability to roam up and down the pitch to provide both a defensive and attacking presence for his team.

He has started all but three games for Rayo Vallecano up to now, two of them due to an injury at the start of the season, and another against Villarreal, in which he was subbed on only in the final minute of the match. He also has 27 international appearances with Romania.

His contract with the Madrid club goes till 2028 and has a release clause of €25 million. However, Barcelona will be looking to get him for a significantly lower sum, which can be negotiated between the two clubs.

The Blaugranes are not looking to get him as a starter, and he will be a replacement for Jules Kounde in the right-back position. Hector Fort currently has this role in the Catalan squad, but he is not getting a lot of minutes under Hansi Flick.

Meanwhile, other big European clubs are also keeping an eye on the 26-year-old defender, including the likes of Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Roma, and Aston Villa.

Thus, he will have a chance to impress Barcelona further in the upcoming match on Monday, but it remains to be seen whether he will actually land in the Catalan team or will be scooped up by another big suitor.