BARCELONA WILL NEED TO PAY UP TO €25 MILLION FOR CAIO HENRIQUE

According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, AS Monaco ace Caio Henrique is Barcelona’s preferred alternative for Marcos Alonso in the summer transfer window. But the Catalan giants need to shell out between €20 million and €25 million to secure the services of the Brazilian left-back in the summer transfer window. Caio Henrique joined AS Monaco from Atletico Madrid in August 2020 and has established himself as one of the best full-backs in Ligue 1 since then. The 24-year-old had struggled to find a stable footing in Europe before moving to Monaco, but Stade Louis II has become a stomping ground for him.

The Brazilian left-back enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, chipping in with two goals and 13 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. And Henrique’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, with some of Europe’s most high-profile clubs, including Barcelona, setting their sights on him. Barcelona’s busy summer will likely witness more action before the transfer window shuts down in a few weeks. Joan Laporta has recently proclaimed that Barcelona will focus on bolstering the defensive unit after Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski’s arrivals reinforced the frontline considerably.

Andreas Christensen has already bolstered the defensive unit. But the Catalan giants want another centre-back due to Gerard Pique’s advancing years and Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza’s dwindling statuses in the first-team squad. At the same time, Barcelona will prioritise signing a left-back and a right-back.

Marcos Alonso has been Barcelona’s priority left-back target this summer. But the move for the Chelsea defender has stalled in the last few days, prompting the Blaugrana to identify alternatives for the Spaniard. One player who fits the criteria for Barcelona is Caio Henrique, with the Brazilian left-back also on their radar.

However, the 24-year-old will not come cheap, with AS Monaco looking to recoup between €20 million and €25 million from his sale. Despite the activation of economic levers, the valuation might deter Barcelona, considering they have spent heavy sums to bolster their squad thus far.