Barcelona have identified two AS Monaco youngsters as potential attacking reinforcements – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are gearing up for a pivotal summer as they aim to elevate Hansi Flick’s project to the next level. With the club’s core already established, sporting director Deco now faces the challenge of adding the right reinforcements to sharpen the squad.

One position that the club seem keen on signing is a new winger. Barcelona need an alternative to Raphinha who can offer something different on the left wing and it would help if he can provide cover on the right wing for Lamine Yamal.

There are a lot of names doing the rounds, and two players that Barcelona are interested in, as per Mundo Deportivo, both play for AS Monaco. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche are two names on the Catalan club’s radar.

What does the future hold for Eliesse Ben Seghir? (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

A new wide option?

The former is a 20-year-old Moroccan right-footed left winger who will be the perfect alternative to Raphinha. In 46 games across all competitions this season, he has scored 9 goals and provided 4 assists, which does not make for bad reading.

Akliouche, on the other hand, is a left-footed right winger who has played most of his football on the right. In 43 games across all competitions, he has scored 7 goals and provided 12 assists, which shows that he is much more of a creator.

The 23-year-old however, plays in the same position as Lamine Yamal and playing him on the left would make him very similar to Raphinha. Thus, it would make much more sporting sense for Barcelona to focus on signing Seghir.

Both AS Monaco youngsters are very much a work in progress. (Source: DataMB)

Deco’s dilemma: Potential vs Immediate impact

The catch here, though, is that both of them are very young and might not yet be ready to make the step up to the Barcelona team. What the Catalan club need is someone who can come in and exude confidence immediately on the left-wing.

It remains to be seen if this is mere scouting interest in the two Ligue 1 wingers or if Barcelona make a serious push to sign either player this summer. While Ben Seghir could offer a useful contrast to Raphinha on the left, the need for experience and instant influence may prompt the club to look elsewhere.

For now, Deco and the recruitment team continue to weigh potential against practicality as they shape a squad fit for another ambitious season under Hansi Flick.