Van de Ven, Murillo & Co – Five Barcelona left-footed centre-back transfer targets

Summer priority 

Barcelona’s planning is well underway for the summer transfer window and one of their top priorities is the addition of a new centre-back. Hansi Flick’s men are well-placed for another successful season as they are top of LaLiga and in the last 16 of the Champions League. Barcelona possess the sixth most valuable squad in the world at €1.11 billion but their centre-back options are unquestionably a weakness.

Flick’s preferred partnership of Pau Cubarsí and Ronald Araujo are perfectly equipped to succeed at the highest level but the latter has suffered with injuries and mental health issues. Flick’s aggressive high-line is almost unique and places huge emphasis on recovery pace, which doesn’t suit Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen will depart when his contract expires this summer. According to Sport, Barcelona are determined to sign a new centre-back and they ideally want a left-footed option to fill Inigo Martinez’s void. It’s understood that Alessandro Bastoni is their dream signing but as the Italian wants to remain at Inter Milan, so we’ve analysed five potential left-sided alternatives.

Five Barcelona left-back targets

Micky van de Ven would be a brilliant option for Flick’s system as he’s lightning quick and his recovery pace is one of his best attributes. At 24, Van de Ven is the perfect age and could feasibly form a defensive partnership with Cubarsi for the next decade. It’s understood that the Netherlands international will assess his options this summer with Tottenham continuing to underperform in the Premier League and they could feasibly be relegated. The major problem around Van de Ven is whether Barca could afford Tottenham’s asking price, which would be higher than his €65m market value, given their well-documented financial issues.

Like Van de Ven, Murillo is also very quick and he’s brilliant on the ball, which would be well-suited to Spanish football and Flick’s philosophy. The 23-year-old has been a revelation since joining Nottingham Forest for €12m in 2023, with his market value soaring to €55m. Murillo has earned his Brazilian debut since moving to England but Forest might decide to cash in this summer with several major clubs interested.

There’s been constant speculation that Nicolas Schlotterbeck features high on Barca’s wishlist this summer with rivals Real Madrid also interested. The German international’s contract expires in 2027 so Borussia Dortmund face a major dilemma whether to sell this summer as he’s very unlikely to pen an extension. Schlotterbeck has experience of playing at the highest level and would represent a quality addition.

Marcos Senesi isn’t as glamorous an option as the previous players but he could be the most realistic option. Barcelona’s financial constraints have limited their spending ability in recent seasons and they are actively trying to reduce the fee they’ll pay Manchester United for Marcus Rashford. Sensei has been heavily linked to Barca in recent weeks, with Flick reportedly a huge admirer and the €22m valued defender’s contract at Bournemouth expires at the end of the season, so he will be available on a free.

Ruud Nijstad is a left-field option but Barcelona approached FC Twente over a potential deal in January. The 18-year-old is viewed as one of the best centre-back targets in Europe and he’s extremely comfortable in possession. It’s understood that Barca walked away over Twente’s €10m price tag but they could return this summer. You can read an in-depth analysis of Nijstad here, featuring expert insight from the Netherlands.