Barcelona could potentially look to pursue 26-year-old Arsenal defender in the summer – Report | OneFootball

Recent seasons have proven to FC Barcelona that they need to make big decisions that are well thought out. Instead of haphazardly rushing to sign new players, the club must first properly assess themselves. Only by doing that can Barcelona ensure that they do not repeat the mistakes they made in the past.

Currently, as the club continues to evaluate their existing squad, certain issues highlight themselves. While the dream to potentially sign a top striker remains there, it seems that there might be other positions as well that require attention during the summer transfer window.

One such position is the full-back role, and the recent links to the club prove that much. From various leagues, talented full-backs have been linked to Barcelona. From Rayo Vallecano’s Andrei Ratiu to Feyenoord’s Givairo Read, there is no shortage of transfer rumors.

Now, another name has been linked to the club as well, following the club’s decision to send scouts to the English Premier League. This time around, as reported by Fichajes, the link connects a player from Arsenal to the Catalan club. Takehiro Tomiyasu, a right-back for the Premier League outfit, is now seen as an interesting option for Barcelona.

The Japanese defender, who joined the Gunners for the 2021/2022 season, is a player who offers versatility and strength. Able to operate on both flanks of the defense and also capable of playing as a centre-back, the player is someone who possesses a profile that is appreciated at Barcelona.

Moreover, with a contract that expires in 2026, Arsenal do not want to lose him for free later. For that reason, the report suggests that they could be willing to let go of him in the summer for a low price. Given Barça’s limited budget, that could be another positive for them in this operation.

However, Tomiyasu is still recovering from a knee injury and is expected to remain on the sidelines until the end of this year. It remains to be seen whether he will finally overcome his knee issues after suffering a relapse and if the Blaugranes will make any concrete moves to sign him.