Barcelona’s interest in Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon has taken the football world by surprise, but it could be an opportune signing for the Catalan giants.
Reguilon is not thought to have a future at Spurs, having last played for the club in 2022 and spending the past two years on loan with spells at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Brentford.
But the 27-year-old has suddenly been linked with Barcelona, following reports of enquiries being made to Tottenham regarding his availability.
AS suggests that, unsurprisingly given Barcelona’s financial limitations, Reguilon is considered an option only if the “price is right”. Spurs do not wish to sanction another loan that would take a player who cost them £27.5m to the end of his contract next summer.
For Barcelona, his experience of playing for a number of top flight clubs, including a key role in Sevilla’s Europa League triumph in 2019/20, puts Reguilon ahead of home-grown options who have impressed during pre-season, like Gerard Marin and Alex Valle.
Ultimately, the reason for pursuing another left-back is a lack of depth. Alejandro Balde, himself just 20 years of age, is the sole recognised left-back in the first-team squad and spent the second half of last season recovering from a serious hamstring injury.
Joao Cancelo, a right-back but versatile enough to play on the left, spent much of the campaign playing there in Balde’s absence. But the Portugal international has since returned to parent club Manchester City following the end of his loan – AS describes talks to bring back as “very stalled”.
Aside from his career somewhat stalling, Reguilon turning out for Barcelona would be a shock considering he was formerly a Real Madrid player for more than half his life – 15 years in total, from joining the academy ranks in 2005 until his permanent exit in 2020.
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