Barcelona set sights on €20 million-rated La Liga defender; Liverpool, PSG also keen

Barcelona have a packed centre-back department at the moment, with Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez establishing themselves as the starting pair under Hansi Flick.

Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are expected to return from injury in the near future and challenge to reclaim their places in the team. Eric Garcia is an able backup option and Jules Kounde could always revert to his natural position at the heart of the defence.

Furthermore, young talents like Sergi Dominguez and Andres Cuenca are also knocking on the doors, having received opportunities under Hansi Flick.

Barcelona eyeing Loic Bade

Despite the riches of central defensive options, according to reports relayed by SPORT, Barcelona are keeping tabs on Sevilla and France centre-half Loic Bade, in case of any possible departure in the summer.

Bade, 24, has become a regular for the Andalusian outfit since arriving from Rennes in 2023 and impressed at the Olympics in the summer with France.

The youngster was even called up by Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps in the recent international break but did not get any minutes due to some muscle problems.

There has been some interest in Jules Kounde from Liverpool and in case he or some other defender were to leave Barcelona, the current La Liga leaders could move for Bade.

It must be noted that Barça are already pursuing the signing of Jonathan Tah on a free transfer in the summer. But with competition for his signing, Bade could be seen as an alternative.

Competition aplenty

However, there appears to be a long list of admirers for Bade as a number of other top European sides are interested in the Sevilla defender.

Indeed, as per the report, apart from Barcelona, the likes of Liverpool, PSG, and Bayern Munich all have the Frenchman on their radars.

Furthermore, Sevilla already rejected a €20 million offer from Serie A giants AS Roma for the centre-half, and hope to raise at least €10 million more than that figure in case of an eventual sale.

It should be noted that, only two months ago, Bade renewed his contract with Sevilla until 2029. Therefore, Los Nervionenses are in a strong negotiating position in front of the suitors who want to lure him away.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.