According to a recent report by Spanish news outlet Sport, La Liga giants Barcelona intend to move for the services of Sevilla’s Brazilian centre-half Diego Carlos this summer, with reigning European champions Liverpool also interested in the defender’s signature. The report suggests that Barcelona head coach Quique Setien is keen on adding a left-sided defender who would complement the attributes of all the players currently in the roster.
It has been claimed that there could indeed be a few departures from the Nou Camp this summer, but that they could also complete the signing of the talented La Liga defender. It is further suggested in the report that a vital tool in the transfer could be former Sevilla man Ivan Rakitic. He is said to be keen on a switch back to his former employers, despite the presence of some attractive offers from the Italian Serie A. The Brazilian defender’s release clause is said to be somewhere around €75m, while Barça are looking to get at least €20m for their veteran midfielder.
What Is Barcelona’s Current Defensive Situation?
The Barcelona side’s back-line has historically been filled with quality, but it must be conceded that their current predicament isn’t going to help Quique Setien’s cause.
Their first-choice goalkeeper – Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s numbers in the league this season read 29 goals conceded from 26 league fixtures, and while that doesn’t sound too bad on paper, it’s quite poor by their usual standards.
Last season, the German international custodian conceded just 32 goals from 35 league outings, highlighting the sheer drop in quality that’s been showcased by the back-line. One of the biggest worries for the manager would be the fact that he has just three natural options to choose from. An unfortunate injury has the potential to completely end an entire season, and that’s not a situation that a club like Barcelona would want to find themselves in. While Clement Lenglet has been a breath of fresh air, Samuel Umtiti’s inconsistency and Gerard Pique’s advancing age are both concerns.
Why Barcelona Must Beat Liverpool To Diego Carlos’ Signature?
The Brazilian has been one of the best defenders in Europe this season, as his dominant presence in and around the Sevilla box has caught the attention of several clubs. Tall and physically well-built, the former Nantes man is an excellent header of the ball in the defensive third. Strong at reading opposition movement and cutting out threaded passes into space, it’s perhaps not overly surprising that Quique has been attracted to the prospect of signing Carlos.
The former Estoril defender has played 25 league fixtures this season and has even managed to pick up a couple of goals along the way. The Brazilian would offer a gritty presence at the back – something that this Barcelona defence has been lacking for a while now. For all the quality that Spanish veteran Gerard Pique possesses, there’s no way he can do it all on his own, and that’s why beating Liverpool to Diego Carlos in the summer should be one of Quique’s priorities for the upcoming transfer window.
