As the summer transfer window draws near, the left-back situation has reignited discussions at FC Barcelona.
Alejandro Balde’s recent dip in form has led to his absence from the last two matches, with coach Hansi Flick opting for Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo, the latter of whom is only on loan until the season’s end.
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Consequently, the Blaugrana are actively exploring potential recruits to bolster the left-back position this summer.
Barcelona Eyes Nathaniel Brown
In light of this, as reported by BILD (h/t SPORT), Barcelona’s sporting department has shifted its attention to Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt, who has made waves in the German Bundesliga.
At just 22, Brown has emerged as one of the standout players of the current Bundesliga season, recording six assists and three goals in 31 appearances from his left-back position.
His impressive performances captured the attention of Julian Nagelsmann, who awarded him his senior debut with the German national team last October during a World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg.
Nathaniel Brown on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Inaki Esnaola/Getty Images)
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Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick is reportedly a strong proponent of signing Brown, as he aims to enhance squad depth and competition for places, giving Brown a legitimate chance to vie for a starting position if his performances warrant it.
Barcelona is already familiar with his skills; during this season’s Champions League encounter with Eintracht, he played the full match and assisted Ansgar Knauff’s goal.
Competition for Brown’s Signature
However, acquiring Brown from Germany will be challenging for Barcelona this summer, as multiple top European clubs have expressed interest in the young talent.
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Manchester City and Liverpool are currently leading the race for the German international, while Real Madrid and Arsenal are also closely monitoring developments.
The transfer pursuit is expected to be prolonged, with a potential fee reaching €65 million—an amount that Barcelona is currently reluctant to pay.