Barcelona’s hunt for a right-back goes on after a season where Jules Kounde became the de facto choice at the position. Without major resources to commit to the pursuit, it looks as if the Blaugrana will look for less obvious alternatives.
According to Sport, Barcelona are willing to make an offer for Feyenoord right-back Lutsharel Geertruida. The 22-year-old is already an international with the Netherlands, and has been involved in two European runs with the Dutch giants to the Conference League final and the Europa League quarter-final in the last two seasons.
🚨 Barça are willing to formalize an offer worth €10m + bonuses for right-back Geertruida. @sport pic.twitter.com/MtLOJ6mSC4
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 14, 2023
Geertruida, 22, made 41 appearances this season for Feyenoord, scoring three times and assisting on three occasions too. He made his debut in 2017, and to date has made 151 appearances, with 15 goals and 6 assists. In the last international break Geertruida made his debut for the Dutch national side.
According to the Catalan paper, Barcelona are considering a €10m move for Geertruida with €5m in add-ons. They add that the deal has the green light from the player’s camp.
The Blaugrana have reportedly been following him all season on the recommendation of departed Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff. Incoming Deco is more keen on the likes of Ivan Fresneda, or a loan move for Joao Cancelo.
Geertruida cuesta 25M fijos (siempre se puede rebajar algo). El Feyenoord valora a un jugador formado en casa y ya ha rechazado alguna oferta que superaba los 20 (con variables).
En la situación actual, y sin ser top, no sé qué sentido tendría plantearse realizar tal inversión.
— Toni Juanmartí (@tjuanmarti) June 14, 2023
According to Toni Juanmarti, their offer is unlikely to be sufficient to extract Geertruida, claiming Feyenoord want €25m without bonuses for him. He goes on to say that they have already rejected offers of over €20m including variables, which would suggest that he has some work to do.
Juanmarti also opines that he does not understand going after Geertruida for such money without him being a top player. Certainly it is a position that Barcelona have looked to cut corners with in the past, without good results. Equally their lack of resources do not equate to being able to bring in a top right-back, and thus innovation is likely.