Barcelona’s recent defensive lapses have raised fresh concerns over their reliability out wide, with Alejandro Grimaldo emerging as one of the leading names on Deco’s shortlist.
The club chose not to strengthen at the back in the summer, trusting in last season’s strong performances from Kounde and Balde. Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin have since provided cover, but the Catalans have looked exposed at times – not only through the middle, but also down both flanks.
The attacking output from the full-backs has also fallen short of expectations based on last year’s displays. As a result, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that the club are now considering reinforcements for both positions.
Questions around the left-back role have grown sharper in recent weeks. Alejandro Balde has struggled to offer the attacking threat anticipated and has shown vulnerability defensively.
Flick has already benched him on several occasions, turning instead to Gerard Martin and Jofre Torrents. A high-profile signing would significantly raise competition on that side.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Alejandro Grimaldo is the standout option. A La Masia graduate, the Bayer Leverkusen full-back is under contract until 2027, but should he choose not to renew, Barcelona may find an opening – particularly with Leverkusen’s project losing momentum following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Strengthening the right-back position appears more complicated. Within the club, the belief is that improvement must come from existing players rather than new arrivals. Kounde and Eric are seen as providing adequate cover, and Barcelona would only consider a signing if a clear and unquestionable upgrade becomes available.
