Barcelona identity €25m-rated Brazilian as alternative for priority winger targets
FC Barcelona want to strengthen their squad with a winger to play on the left wing in the summer transfer window.
The idea is to bring in a player who can either open up the pitch and attack the byline or, starting from that area, cut inside looking for the opposition’s goal.
The decision on the final profile will also likely depend on the tactical system that manager Xavi Hernandez wishes to use, given the fact that he has tended to lean towards a false-winger on occasions this season.
In any case, there are several players on Deco’s agenda, some with more wing characteristics and others who are suited to play more on the inside.
Names like Nico Williams and Dani Olmo are high on the agenda, but could prove to be expensive for Barça, which is why an alternative has been identified.
Barcelona eye FC Porto’s Pepe
Indeed, as per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have set their sights on FC Porto winger Pepe as a possible option to reinforce the left flank in the summer.
Pepe is a wide player who joined Porto in 2021 from Gremio for €15 million. A right-footed, skilful, quick player with a great command of the ball, the Brazilian was used as a full-back when he joined the Portuguese outfit.
But manager Sergio Conceiçao restored him as a winger, placing him mainly on the left. In the ongoing season, he has scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 47 games.
The 27-year-old Brazilian is a player that Deco and Barça got a close look at in the Champions League group stages this season, with the forward even scoring against the Catalans at Montjuic.
A cheaper alternative
As mentioned earlier, Barcelona also have their eyes on Dani Olmo, who is well-liked by Xavi and Deco due to his versatile nature. However, he has a €60 million release clause which RB Leipzig do not intend to negotiate, making a deal difficult.
Nico Williams, too, is a player admired at Barça, but his signing from Athletic Club too would cost in excess of €50 million this summer.
As such, Pepe could be seen as a cheaper alternative, with the report suggesting that his market value at the moment is €25 million.
