Barcelona have reportedly identified Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade as a transfer target.
The 24-year-old made the move to Sevilla from Rennes in 2023, and he has represented his current side on 68 occasions in all competitions, scoring two goals and registering two assists in the process.
Bade has a contract with his current side until June 2029, having signed an extension last month, but there is a host of speculation surrounding his future, with Liverpool believed to be keen on his services.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are also admirers of the Frenchman, viewing him as the ideal player to add to their squad in 2025.
The report claims that Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also keen, suggesting that Sevilla will find it incredibly difficult to keep hold of the defender beyond the end of next summer's transfer window.
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Barcelona 'interested in Sevilla defender Bade'
Bade started his professional career with Le Havre before moving to Lens in 2020, but he spent just one season with the club ahead of a switch to Rennes, which involved a brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest, where he failed to make a single appearance.
The defender impressed while on loan at Sevilla during the 2022-23 campaign before completing a permanent move to Estadio Ramon, and he featured 33 times last season for the Seville outfit.
This term, Bade has made eight appearances, providing one assist, and his performances have allegedly put him firmly on Barcelona's radar, with the Catalan side potentially being in the market for a new centre-back in 2025.
Sevilla are in a strong negotiating position due to the length of time left on his contract, and it remains to be seen whether the La Liga leaders are willing to pay what would likely be a sizeable sum in order to sign him.
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Will Araujo leave Barcelona next summer?
Ronald Araujo's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with the Uruguay international only having a deal at Camp Nou until June 2026, and it is understood that the Catalan side are not prepared to meet his wage demands.
Barcelona are therefore facing the prospect of having to replace Araujo in 2025, with Bade potentially arriving, but it would be a major blow for Hansi Flick's team if they lost their Uruguayan defender.
Araujo is believed to be wanted by the likes of Man United and Bayern, with the 25-year-old viewed as one of the best centre-backs in world football, but he is yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury.
The South American recently provided a positive update on his injury situation, though, and the defender is expected to be back on the field before the end of November.
Matt Law
