Barcelona are reportedly considering making a free transfer swoop for AS Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.
According to a report from SPORT, Barcelona have their sights set on a Bosman move for AS Monaco and France right-back Djibril Sidibe in the summer transfer window of 2022.
Sidibe, a product of the Troyes youth setup, has been with Monaco since 2016 when he signed from LOSC Lille. A regular in the side, for the most part, barring the 2019/20 campaign when he was loaned out to Everton, the 29-year-old has made 160 appearances for the Principality outfit, bagging six goals and 23 assists in the process.
Sidibe has featured 12 times in the ongoing campaign, having missed a string of games due to injury problems. Question marks have been raised over his future with his contract set to run out at the end of the season. And, it seems like Barcelona are ready to make a swoop for the 18-time capped French international once he becomes a free agent come summer.
Barcelona have Sergino Dest as their first-choice right-back, while Oscar Mingueza and Sergi Roberto have provided cover in the position. In addition to that, the Catalans recently acquired the services of veteran Brazilian defender Dani Alves, with the 38-year-old arriving at Camp Nou for a second stint.
However, Dest has never been able to live up to expectations in the role, while Mingueza looks at home in his preferred centre-back position. Furthermore, with both Roberto and Alves running out of contract at the end of the current campaign, bringing in a new right-sided full-back makes a great deal of sense for the Blaugrana.
To that end, a move for Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been mooted while there have been links to Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui as well. Now, in addition to the two names mentioned above, Barcelona are also looking at Sidibe as an option to bolster their right-back department ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
A vastly experienced defender, Sidibe has been performing at this level for several years now. However, recent injury problems could prove to be a concern for the Catalan giants in their pursuit of the Frenchman. So, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona go after the 29-year-old or decide to pursue alternate options.
