Barcelona will reportedly need to fork out a sum of €42 million if they wish to sign Juan Foyth from Villarreal this summer.
According to AS, Villarreal will consider selling Barcelona target Juan Foyth this summer only if the Catalans meet his release clause amount which stands at €42 million.
Foyth signed for Villarreal permanently last summer after enjoying a productive loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur during the 2020/21 campaign. Having won the UEFA Europa League while on loan with the club, the 24-year-old helped the Yellow Submarine go as far as the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
While he might not be the most glamorous of names, Foyth has built a solid reputation for himself over the past two seasons in Spain, and Barcelona have been smitten by the Argentine international, with the Catalans now considering signing the versatile defender before the transfer window closes.
Barcelona are in desperate need of a new right-back after Xavi Hernandez decided that Sergino Dest is no longer a player he can rely on. The USMNT ace was axed from the matchday squad against Rayo Vallecano last weekend and is up for sale, with Manchester United interested in acquiring his services.
Dest’s potential exit would leave Barcelona with only Sergi Roberto as a viable option for the right-back slot. Ronald Araujo was utilised in the position against Rayo, but he looked very much out of place. Jules Kounde can play at right-back but sees himself as a central defender, leaving Barcelona to scour the market for reinforcements.
Cesar Azpilicueta had been Barcelona’s top target, but the Chelsea captain decided to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge. It has forced the Catalans to consider other options, including Manchester United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, while Foyth is also a target for the La Liga behemoths.
However, signing the former Tottenham Hotspur ace, who can play at right-back, centre-back or even defensive midfield if necessary, would be a costly proposition for Barcelona as Villarreal are demanding that his release clause of €42 million be paid in full.
Foyth’s agent was spotted leaving Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva complex on Tuesday after meeting with director Mateu Alemany. It pretty much should confirm the Blaugrana’s interest in the 24-year-old. What remains to be seen is whether they are prepared to take it to the next step by making a formal approach to Villarreal for the Argentine.