Barcelona set sights on €25m Crystal Palace player who once said playing for them was his dream | OneFootball

For years, FC Barcelona has struggled to fill the void left by the legendary Dani Alves at right-back. Over multiple transfer windows, several players have been brought in to try and replicate the Brazilian’s brilliance, but with the exception of Jules Koundé, none have truly succeeded.

Koundé, whose versatility and reliability have made him a standout performer in the right-back role, has emerged as the go-to option for the Catalans. His consistent form has made him an integral part of the squad, and his impressive run of consecutive games has been vital to the team’s success.

However, Barcelona is now just one injury away from a potential crisis. Héctor Fort, the backup right-back, has had limited game time this season and lacks the experience needed to seamlessly step in if called upon.

As a result, the right-back position is one area the Catalans are looking to reinforce in the upcoming summer transfer window. The club has already been linked with several candidates, including Spanish fullback Marc Pubil.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Daniel Muñoz, the 28-year-old right-back currently playing for Crystal Palace, is also on Barcelona’s radar.

Despite interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Muñoz has reportedly decided to take his time with his future, opting to wait until the summer transfer window to evaluate his options. The €25m-rated Colombian defender is under contract with Crystal Palace until 2027.

Player Who Once Dreamed of Joining Barcelona

Should Barcelona decide to pursue Muñoz in the summer, they would be welcoming a player with deep-rooted admiration for the club. In 2020, after leaving Atlético Nacional in Colombia for KRC Genk in Belgium, Muñoz spoke openly about his dream of playing for FC Barcelona:

“For me, this is going to be a big step forward, and this league can help me improve a lot. And why not dream and visualize playing in a league like the Premier League or La Liga? My dream is to play for Barcelona.”

Muñoz’s love for Barça has its roots in his childhood, when Ronaldinho was the face of the club. The Colombian also acknowledged his admiration for Dani Alves, the legendary Brazilian right-back who made history at Barcelona.

“As a kid, my idol was always Ronaldinho when he played for Barcelona. In my early years, I never played as a full-back—I was always a winger, and I looked up to creative, skillful players. Ronaldinho was the only one I watched.”

“But when I started playing as a right-back, I studied Dani Alves—his movements, how he attacked and defended—so in my position, he became an idol as well.”

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

A Boost for Barcelona’s Right-Back Position

Should Barcelona make a move for Daniel Muñoz, the Colombian would provide valuable depth and competition at right-back, a position that has historically been a challenge for the club until Jules Koundé solidified his role there.

However, much will depend on the financial situation of Barcelona, particularly regarding Financial Fair Play regulations, and the club’s priorities for the upcoming season.