Barcelona is still considering strengthening its defense during the summer transfer window, given Hansi Flick's desire to sign a left-footed center-back.
Alejandro Balde
Club: Barcelona
Jules Koundé
Club: Barcelona
However, finalizing the deal will primarily depend on whether there is sufficient funding in the club's coffers following the departure of one of its players.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Julián Álvarez remains Barcelona's top priority to strengthen the striker position, but the club is also not ruling out signing a new center-back, especially since Gerard Martín is currently the only natural defender on the left side of the back line.
Barcelona needs one of its players to leave before it can seriously move to sign a new defender, after Flick opened the door to the possibility of Alejandro Balde or Jules Koundé departing.
If one of them leaves, Barcelona will be able to move towards signing a center-back, without ruling out also strengthening the left-back position.
The report indicated that Castello Lukéba, the defender for German club Leipzig, is Flick's preferred option to strengthen the back line.
Lukéba is 23 years old and is under contract with Leipzig until June 2029. He also possesses the qualities Flick is looking for, as he is left-footed and has strength, speed, the ability to correct his mistakes, and the capacity to move behind the defensive line.
However, signing the French defender will not be easy due to his high value, as Barcelona first needs to generate financial returns from selling one of its players to secure the required amount.
At the left-back position, the name of Jorge Salinas, the 19-year-old Racing player, stands out as one of the options that Barcelona favors, with his value estimated at around 16 million euros.
Consequently, Barcelona is first waiting to finalize the striker file and the potential departure of one of its players before making a final decision on strengthening the back line in the final days of the transfer window.
Barcelona is preparing to face Elche this Sunday in the second round of the Spanish league, followed by a match against Athletic Bilbao next Thursday in a postponed game from the first round.
The matches for Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid were postponed due to their players' commitments to participate in the World Cup and to ensure they receive a larger rest period in accordance with regulations.
