Unai Emery has given hope to Barcelona in the pursuit of Juan Foyth, refusing to rule out a summer exit for the 24-year-old Argentine international.
In a conversation with El Larguero, as quoted by 90 min, Unai Emery has spoken about Juan Foyth and his situation in the final days of the summer transfer window. The Villarreal manager has insisted that the 24-year-old is happy at Estadio de la Ceramica, although he did not rule out an exit in the coming days.
Juan Foyth has established himself as one of the most dependable defenders in La Liga since joining Villarreal from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2021. The Yellow Submarine signed the Argentine international on loan for the second half of the 2020/21 season before completing a permanent transfer last summer.
While the 24-year-old struggled to make his mark at Tottenham, he has found a stable footing in La Liga. And in the last 18 months, Foyth has been a mainstay at the back for Villarreal, turning out 72 times for them. And his progress has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona entered the summer transfer window with the objective of bolstering their defensive unit with a centre-back, a right-back and a left-back. But while the Catalan giants have brought in two central defenders, they are yet to reinforce their full-back options, with the efforts to sign Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso not bearing any fruit.
Unai Emery: “It seems that Barça are interested in Juan Foyth. He told me that he’s happy here – I don't rule out his departure, normally he would stay”, told @ellarguero. ? #FCB
“I spoke to Edinson Cavani – we have good relationship, he wants to come to Spain. It’s possible”. pic.twitter.com/e7BJ7uAFIB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2022
Azpilicueta recently snubbed Barcelona by signing a new contract with Chelsea, and Foyth is a viable alternative. Recent reports have also claimed that the 24-year-old Argentine international is keen on joining the Blaugrana. But Unai Emery has insisted that Foyth is happy at Villarreal, although he has not ruled out a summer exit.
“[Right-back] is a position that Barcelona need and he fits them. The issue is whether the player wants it or not. He has always told me that he is very happy. He does not contemplate leaving and wants to stay. I can’t rule out his departure. But normally, he would stay.”
Villarreal vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza recently said that the Yellow Submarine will not sell Foyth this summer. But Emery’s comments might give Barcelona a glimmer of hope, and it will be interesting to see if the 24-year-old Argentine international arrives at Camp Nou in the coming days.
