Barcelona still keen on 21-year-old Olympics gold medalist for the summer | OneFootball

One of the additions that FC Barcelona plan to make during the summer transfer window later this year is the signing of a new right-back.

Manager Hansi Flick believes the team is somewhat lacking in that position, with Jules Kounde playing there regularly and youngster Hector Fort barely featuring.

Both the sporting management and the coaching staff agree that an effort must be made to reinforce the position in the summer, and there is a clear list of potential candidates.

As reported recently, AS Monaco’s Brazilian defender Vanderson remains on the Catalans’ agenda and there appears to be another name that the club are monitoring.

Marc Pubill on Barcelona’s target list

According to SPORT, Barcelona remain interested in UD Almeria right-back Marc Pubill, a player whom they tried signing during the summer of 2024 as well.

Indeed, Pubill was very close to signing for Barcelona last summer on loan with an option to buy, but there was no salary cap room to complete the deal.

Marc Pubill is on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The club’s sporting department has continued to monitor the Spanish U-21 international and he remains one of the most favoured right-back options.

For now, only discussions have taken place with his representatives to ensure the player does not commit to any other club.

Pubill won the gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Spain, playing alongside Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, and Eric Garcia.

The 21-year-old has featured 19 times in the Spanish second division this season and opted not to leave Almeria during the winter window as he wants to help them secure promotion to La Liga and then make the big leap.

Last summer, Pubill had given the green light to Barcelona, and his agent enjoys a strong relationship with the club, which gives him good prospects. Any concrete decisions regarding his future will begin to be made in March.