90min

Barcelona eyeing Atalanta left-back Robin Gosens

By Jamie Spencer

Robin Gosens has emerged as a top attacking wing-back
Robin Gosens has emerged as a top attacking wing-back / Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
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Barcelona are showing interest in Atalanta star Robin Gosens as they target a new left-back to provide competition for, and perhaps ultimately replace, long-serving Jordi Alba.

The squad at Camp Nou is in desperate need of fresh blood after another poor season by the club’s extremely high standards, and the left side of the defence is an area that has been identified.

Barcelona want more competition for Jordi Alba
Barcelona want more competition for Jordi Alba / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Local publication SPORT writes that Barça are looking at Gosens, who has impressed with Atalanta again in 2020/21 and has been named in Germany’s squad for Euro 2020.

The 26-year-old has thrived as an attacking wing-back with the Serie A side. He joined them in 2017, having previously been based in Netherlands since he was a teenager, but has really come into his own since 2019 and has scored 22 goals in the last two seasons alone.

Gosens can also play in a more conventional back four and his versatility would give Barça coach Ronald Koeman plenty of options in what will be a crucial 2021/22 season.

Barça famously have financial difficulties, although a number of other expected signings – Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia – would arrive as free agents without a transfer fee.

Barcelona are otherwise targeting free agents like Sergio Aguero this summer
Barcelona are otherwise targeting free agents like Sergio Aguero this summer / Michael Regan/Getty Images

Gosens is said to be valued at €40m by Atalanta, who may be open to player exchanges. He will also soon enter the final year of his contract, which means the right time to sell could be now.

But Barça are not the only club that have taken an interest in Gosens. Juventus, AC Milan and Inter are all described as having ‘made contact’, while there could also be competition from Manchester City. Left-back remains a problem position for the Premier League.

It is said that Barça are looking to sell current understudy left-back Junior Firpo, which will both create space in the squad and raise funds. Alba may also be asked to take a pay cut.

Junior Firpo could be sold this summer
Junior Firpo could be sold this summer / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Barça are also thought to be keeping tabs on Valencia’s Jose Gaya and RB Leipzig’s Angelino, both of whom could be on the market for less than Gosens this summer.

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