La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of signing 24-year-old Brazilian left-back Caio Henrique in the summer.
According to English journalist Nathan Gissing, Caio Henrique has popped up on Barcelona’s radar over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Brazilian left-back, valued between €25 million and €30 million by AS Monaco, is also a target for clubs in England and Italy.
Caio Henrique has found a stable footing in his career since joining AS Monaco from Atletico Madrid in August 2020. The six-month stint at the Wanda Metropolitano did not work out one bit, but the 24-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the last two years at Stade Louis II.
The Brazilian left-back has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, chipping in with two goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions. And Henrique’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with some of the most high profile clubs across Europe, including Barcelona, setting their sights on him.
Barcelona will look to sign a left-back in the summer transfer window, as Alejandro Balde is yet to settle down in the first-team setup at Camp Nou. That has left Xavi Hernandez with Jordi Alba as the only natural left-back at his disposal, with Sergino Dest a makeshift option for the Barcelona manager.
With Alba well into his thirties, Xavi will need another left-back who can share the workload with the veteran Spanish left-back. As a result, several players have emerged on Barcelona’s radar, with Marcos Alonso reportedly becoming their priority target heading into the summer transfer window.
Recent reports have also claimed that Barcelona and Alonso are in advanced talks to seal a summer move. But Henrique might represent an intriguing alternative to the Spaniard, considering he is more productive in the final third while being an arguably better defender.
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With Alba already showing chinks in his armour, signing the 24-year-old will be a step in the right direction, as he can be a long-term replacement for Alba. But Henrique’s price tag might be a stumbling block for a financially stricken Barcelona, with AS Monaco likely to demand between €25 million and €30 million for the Brazilian left-back. Alonso might thus be the go-to option for Xavi in the summer.