Deco highly rates €7m-rated La Liga full-back as Barcelona weigh right-back signing | OneFootball

Although they made only two additions in the last summer transfer window and added no new players in the last winter, FC Barcelona have still been able to emerge as one of the most competitive sides in Spain and Europe this season.

This is primarily because of the talent that was already present in the team, as Hansi Flick has been able to get the best out of them since his appointment as the Blaugrana head coach.

However, there are still some areas of the team that lack some depth, including the flanks, where Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde are the fixed starters. The youngsters Gerard Martin and Hector Fort are their replacements in this squad, but it is clear that both these players are currently lacking in experience.

As a result, Barcelona are looking for some more experienced options for the flanks, and one of the options they have in their mind for the right-back position is the Rayo Vallecano fullback, Andrei Ratiu, and according to Cadena SER (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Ratiu is highly regarded by Deco as a potential reinforcement for the defense.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The €7m-rated Romanian defender has been one of the revelations in La Liga this season and has 1 goal and 2 assists to his name in La Liga and Copa del Rey. Furthermore, he has also proven his defensive credentials, holding his own against the likes of Vinicius Junior and Raphinha.

His performances have also attracted the attention of some of the biggest sides in Europe, including Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma.

However, one factor that can facilitate things for Barcelona in his pursuit is that he has the same agent as Pedri, and the defender was even discussed in a meeting between Deco and his agents in November.

It remains to be seen which team the Romanian will play in for the next season, but if he changes clubs, one side that will benefit for sure is Villarreal, as the Yellow Submarines have 50% rights on the player.