Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu allegedly has admirers in the Barcelona dressing room amid suggestions that the Catalan outfit could move for him during this summer's transfer window.
Barcelona want to sign a new right-back ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, and Ratiu is thought to be one of the players firmly on the club's radar due to his strong performances this season.
The 26-year-old has made 27 appearances for Rayo, scoring twice and registering three assists in the process, proving to be one of the capital outfit's most impressive players this season.
Ratiu has a contract with Rayo until June 2028, but it is understood that the deal includes a release clause of €25m (£21m), with Real Madrid also believed to be interested.
According to Mundo Deportivo, a number of players in the Barcelona dressing room are admirers of Ratiu, with the level of his performances being a discussion point among some first-team stars.
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Barca are being linked with a summer move for Rayo defender Ratiu
Barcelona are believed to be confident that they would not have to pay more than €15m (£12.5m) for the defender, which would make him a bargain signing this summer.
Ratiu is a 26-time Romania international, while he has represented Rayo on 43 occasions since arriving from Huesca in 2023, scoring three goals and registering three assists in the process.
Having the support of the dressing room would make a huge difference for Ratiu, and that could increase Barcelona's desire to secure his services during the summer market.
Espanyol's Omar El Hilali and Almeria's Marc Pubill are also believed to be on Barcelona's radar, with the Catalan side looking to bring in a low-cost option in that area of the field.
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Will Kounde switch to a centre-back next season?
Jules Kounde was brought to Barcelona as a centre-back, but he has instead become the club's first-choice right-back, with the Frenchman excelling in that position this season.
The 26-year-old is a vital player for head coach Hansi Flick, so it would be a surprise to see him removed from the XI next season, with Ratiu likely to arrive as back-up.
Kounde had been a centre-back up until joining Barcelona, but the Catalan side are incredibly well-stocked in that area, with Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia all options.
As a result, it is difficult to imagine Kounde featuring regularly as a centre-back during the 2025-26 campaign.
Matt Law
