Barcelona are running out of time to fill the gaps in their squad for the upcoming season and all their negotiations now have to be conducted with the countdown in mind.
One of those places is the right-back area. After failing to obtain the signature of Cesar Azpilicueta from chelseaRonald Araujo has started matches there but seems far from comfortable.
Sergi Roberto made a brief appearance there on the opening day of the season, while Sergino Dest was left out of both matchday squads altogether.
Their preferred option to cover the job seems to be Juan Foyth, but Villarreal are unlikely to let him go on the cheap. The Argentine won’t force the exit and has a €42m release clause.
As such, Barcelona have once again been in contact with Borussia Dortmund over Thomas Meunier, according to Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona see him as a cheap alternative and don’t want to pay more than €10m for the Belgian, but Dortmund are asking for €15m.
sport have since claimed that Barcelona have offered a swap deal for Meunier, which would see Dest go the other way. Dortmund haven’t responded to this idea so far.
Meunier, 30, appears to be another interim option for Barcelona on the right side of defence. It would be less than ideal for the Blaugrana to leave the matter open, as it has been the case for several years, but they are running out of time. At this point, using Araujo in this spot looks like it could hamper Barcelona’s season.
