Barcelona have reportedly identified Villarreal right-back Juan Foyth as a potential transfer target.
The Argentina international, who is currently representing La Albiceleste at the 2022 World Cup, joined the Yellow Submarine on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2021 after an impressive loan spell.
Foyth helped Villarreal reach the semi-finals of the 2021-22 Champions League under Unai Emery, who sanctioned a €15m (£12.9m) transfer for the 24-year-old.
The defender came up with one goal and one assist from 38 appearances in all tournaments last term, starting against the likes of Juventus, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in Europe.
During his debut season on loan with Villarreal, Foyth played an essential part in the Yellow Submarine's run to the Europa League title, and he now has two goals and five assists under his belt from 76 outings.
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Injuries have bedevilled Foyth this term, though, as the ex-Tottenham man has only made six appearances in all competitions, coming up with two assists in a Copa del Rey win over CD Santa Amalia.
The defender is under contract at La Ceramica until the end of the 2025-26 season, but according to Sport, Barcelona are ready to test Villarreal's resolve in the near future.
The Blaugrana board are understood to have identified the right-back area as a priority for the winter transfer market, having failed to prise Cesar Azpilicueta away from Chelsea in the summer.
Barca boss Xavi has supposedly earmarked Foyth as his number one choice for the right-back spot, and Emery's exit from Villarreal should work in the Catalan club's favour.
The report adds that Barcelona tried to engineer a last-minute move for Foyth over the summer when Azpilicueta committed his future to Chelsea, but a late deal did not materialize.
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Furthermore, Barcelona will have to sell before they can buy in January amid their ongoing financial crisis, and the Blaugrana are also under pressure to reduce their wage bill in the coming weeks.
Ex-Estudiantes youngster Foyth was called up to Argentina's squad for the 2022 World Cup, but he has not earned a single minute for Lionel Scaloni's side at the tournament.
Barcelona did eventually bring in a new right-back over the summer in the form of Hector Bellerin, who left Arsenal on a free transfer to re-sign for his boyhood club on a one-year contract.
However, the 27-year-old has been unable to force his way into the first XI on a regular basis and is seemingly not viewed as a long-term option for the Camp Nou giants, who could lose him on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Bellerin is also believed to be the subject of interest from Roma over a loan move, and Xavi also has Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde capable of playing on the right-hand side of defence.
Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier have both been mentioned as potential alternatives to Foyth should Barcelona fail to sign the Villarreal man.
Ben Knapton
