Barcelona’s switch plans may take an surprising flip earlier than the window closes, with Alejandro Balde’s future now linked to a doable transfer for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.
Proper now, the main focus has been on whether or not Balde will stay on the membership following his recent situation under Hansi Flick.
However behind that uncertainty sits one other necessary query: what is going to Barcelona do if he leaves?
In accordance with The Athletic, the left-back’s departure may push Barcelona into the marketplace for one other defender.
Curiously, the precedence wouldn’t essentially be to discover a direct alternative at left-back.
As a substitute, the membership is trying carefully on the left-sided centre-back place, the place they imagine the squad lacks a specialist.
On that observe, Castello Lukeba is without doubt one of the names being monitored, and Flick is a robust admirer of the RB Leipzig defender.
Nonetheless, the transfer isn’t anticipated to maneuver ahead until the membership first make house by a departure.
Balde’s future to affect Barcelona’s switch plans
The scenario is easy. If Balde stays, Barcelona’s defensive plans are more likely to stay unchanged.
Nonetheless, an exit would create each house within the squad and the necessity for Flick to rethink the stability of his backline.
The apparent transfer could be to signal one other left-back, however Barcelona look like trying on the scenario in a different way.
The membership imagine they’re wanting a pure left-footed centre-back.
Gerard Martin can function in that function, however he’s additionally an possibility at left-back, which means Barcelona wouldn’t have a lot depth with regards to specialists on the left aspect of central defence.
This explains why Balde’s possible departure may result in a centre-back signing moderately than a simple alternative on the left.
Castello Lukeba matches the profile
As such, Lukeba has emerged as a participant Barcelona are monitoring in the mean time.
The 23-year-old provides one thing Flick values extremely: versatility. He can function as a centre-back whereas additionally being snug at left-back, giving the Barcelona coach an alternative choice throughout the line of defense.
Extra importantly, he would handle the precise want Barcelona see on the left aspect of their central defence.
The French defender has already attracted attention as a possible solution for Flick, who is known to be a significant admirer of his profile.
Nonetheless, you will need to observe that this isn’t but an operation able to speed up.
Barcelona first want readability on Balde’s future, as with no important departure, there’s little room for the membership to make critical progress on one other defensive signing.
