Barcelona Transfers: 6 Right-Backs La Blaugrana Could Realistically Target This Summer

​It says a lot that ever since Dani Alves departed Barcelona in 2016 the starting right-back spot has been rotated constantly, with none of the club's options being able to permanently establish themselves in the team.

The current starter Nélson Semedo, has yet to convince fans that he will be able to make the position his own, with his inconsistent performances throughout the season resulting in his recent benching for several games under manager Quique Setién. 

Meanwhile, Sergi Roberto has performed admirably when called upon to play at the back. Yet, he is at heart a centre-midfielder, and is definitely more suited to play higher up the pitch, given his technical skillset.

Frankly, sharing the role isn't a viable strategy for the Catalans. They are much better off finding someone, who can fill the spot for the long-term at Camp Nou. It has to be a player who's comfortable with the ball, and is considered a 'two-way' defender - someone who can provide an overlap for the attack, while also being able to track back and help out his defence.

Here's a look at six right-backs Barça could and should realistically look at targeting to fill the up-for-grabs position...

Ricardo Pereira

It's a shame that ​Leicester City's Pereira is now out for several months with a damaged anterior cruciate ligament.

Prior to the injury, the 26-year-old had enjoyed an excellent season, showing his ability to get forward and provide an attacking threat, while also being solid defensively.

He's racked up more dribbles than any other Premier League defender this season, and has scored three goals, as well as notching up two assists from 28 league games in 2019/20.

Potential Price: £40m - £45m

João Cancelo

It's easy to forget how good Cancelo is given his difficult first season at ​Manchester City.

Though he's prone to errors such as mistimed tackles and being caught out of position, the 25-year-old is good in possession and can put in great crosses for his teammates. Remember, he did rack up five assists for Juventus in all competitions during the 2018/19 campaign.

Yet a team with both Jordi Alba and Cancelo would force Setién to find a formation that lets them join the attack, while also ensuring the team can still withhold opposing counter-attacks. 

And also expect City to not let him go cheaply.

Potential Price: £45m - £60m

Emerson

Technically, Emerson's ownership is shared between the ​Catalans and Real Betis, and it would be a pretty straightforward move to bring the Brazilian in.

The 21-year-old has been a revelation this season, impressing with his energetic displays. Although he's still a little suspect in his defensive abilities, there's plenty to like about his attacking potential.

He has three goals and five assists to his name, with only Sergio Ramos scoring more goals out of all the defenders in Spain's top-flight.

Despite being contracted at Los Verdiblancos until 2021, Barça currently have an option to buy Emerson for a minimal fee. And he's made no secret of his desire to play at Camp Nou, recently telling AS (via the ​Daily Mail): "I'm ready to play for Barcelona."

Potential Price: £5m - £8m

Thomas Meunier

Of all the potential free agents this summer, Meunier is arguably the finest of them all. After all, he's won Ligue 1 twice during his time in Paris, and also has 40 caps for Belgium.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender is solid at the back, while also boasting some excellent passing skills. And having previously played as a winger, he's not scared of making a foray into the opposition's attacking third either, creating two goals during the 2018 World Cup.

With his contract expiring this summer, Meunier looks set to depart France, and 90min has been ​exclusively told that the likes of Spurs and Borussia Dortmund are currently pursuing the 28-year-old. Given he's available on a free transfer, and their failure to find a consistent performer in the right-back role, you would think he would be a great fit at Camp Nou too.

Potential Price: Free

Denzel Dumfries

Many greats have joined the Catalans from PSV Eindhoven over the years, including Romário, Ronaldo and Ronald Koeman to name but a few.

And Dumfries is certainly capable of joining their company. He's very much an attack-minded full-back, often found dribbling the ball high up the pitch with opponents struggling to stop him, and is also a good player to have defensively.

The 23-year-old has tallied an impressive seven goals in the Eredivisie this season, and also has two assists. He's made the second-most dribbles of all defenders in the league as well, emphasising his comfort with the ball.

Having also become the Oranje's first-choice right-back this season, he's arguably PSV's best player, which will make it hard for the Dutch club to part ways with Dumfries. Yet his talent suggests he won't be in the Eredivisie for long, and the ​La Liga champions would certainly be able to make the move happen, should they target him.

Potential Price: £20m - £25m

Sergiño Dest

Ajax's Dest rounds off this list - a player with huge potential to become a world-class right-back for years to come.

The 19-year-old only made his debut for De Godenzonen at the start of the 2019/20 season, but has quickly become the first-choice for Erik ten Hag. And despite having just made 28 starts for the Dutch champions, he's shown to have superb passing ability, as well as being defensively strong in one-on-one situations. 

He's got four assists in the Eredivisie this season, and has an impressive pass completion rate of 87% in all competitions for Ajax.

Already with three senior caps for the United States, he's attracting serious attention from Bayern Munich, who are ​rumoured to be soon finalising a deal with the Amsterdam side. 

Yet it wouldn't be too late, for Barça to make a move for Dest beforehand, and he could develop further into a fantastic long-term asset for La Blaugrana.

Potential Price: £25m - £40m

Given his injury, Pereira will cost a lot less than what he would have a few months ago. And La Blaugrana could possibly wait for him, by playing Roberto in that position until the Portugal international recovers fully. ​Tottenham have also been linked.