Transfer Centre

Villarreal boss Unai Emery addresses Juan Foyth future amid Barcelona links

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 23 August 2022

Villarreal boss Unai Emery confirms that Barcelona are interested in signing defender Juan Foyth and refuses to rule out a potential departure for the 24-year-old this summer.

Villarreal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that Barcelona are interested in signing Juan Foyth and has refused to rule out a potential departure for the defender this summer.

The 24-year-old has been identified as a potential target for the Catalan giants, with head coach Xavi looking to recruit a new right-back before the transfer window shuts.

Barca initially targeted Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta before he decided to sign a new two-year contract to stay with the Premier League giants.

Xavi has since drawn up a list of alternatives, with Argentina international Foyth believed to be one of his top targets.

A recent report claims that Foyth's agent held a meeting with Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany to discuss a proposed switch for his client to Camp Nou.

Villarreal boss Unai Emery on August 21, 2022 © Reuters

Emery has since acknowledged that the Catalan giants are attempting to sign Foyth, who could depart the Estadio de la Ceramica even though he still has four years remaining on his Villarreal contract.

Speaking to El Larguero, Emery said: "It seems that Barca are interested in Juan Foyth. He told me that he's happy here – I don't rule out his departure, normally he would stay."

It is thought that the Yellow Submarine will only allow the defender to leave the club if his €42m (£35m) release clause is activated.

After three challenging years at Tottenham Hotspur, Foyth has since cemented his place as a first-team regular under Emery at Villarreal and has made a total of 71 appearances for the club in all tournaments, including 35 starts last season.

The likes of Monaco's Vanderson, Arsenal's Hector Bellerin and Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier have also been linked with a potential move to Barca before the September 1 deadline.

Manchester United's Edinson Cavani during the warm up, January 3, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Emery has also confirmed that he has spoken to free agent Edinson Cavani and has suggested that it is "possible" for the striker to join the club.

The 35-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Manchester United upon the expiration of his contract in June.

Cavani has since been linked with a host of clubs in both Europe and South America, but Emery has revealed that the Uruguayan would like to move to Spain.

"I spoke to Edinson Cavani – we have good relationship, he wants to come to Spain. It's possible," said the former Arsenal boss.

Cavani enjoyed a prolific two-year spell under the tutelage of Emery during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 89 goals in 98 games between 2016 and 2018.