Barcelona’s left-back option has seen a major crisis in the last few months. Although the club has natural players to fill that position, like Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin, the club’s current situation has been a bit shaky, which has limited their usage in these positions.
For context, Hansi Flick’s confidence in Balde has been at an all-time low this season, resulting in fewer minutes, with a few rumours even suggesting that the player might face a departure in the winter transfer window. Meanwhile, persistent injuries to key CB options like Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen have forced Martin to play in the CB position.
Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart have been used in that position as they can play on both flanks. But there have been questions around Cancelo’s defensive prowess on occasions, especially in the games against PSG and Real Madrid, while Espart is currently injured. Even if we ignore their availability and form concerns, the issue of not having a definite experienced natural left-back pertains to the Spanish club, which has scarred the club big time this season.
This is where the Spanish club has diverted its attention to the Bundesliga. Sources report that the five-time UCL champs are immensely interested in RB Leipzig left-back David Raum, and are also rumoured to be looking to make a move in the upcoming winter transfer window in January.
Currently valued at around £20.86 million, David Raum’s contract with RB Leipzig runs out in 2027. This means that the 28-year-old will be a free agent in the upcoming summer as he hasn’t signed a new contract with the club so far. But the sources say that the Catalan giants are looking to acquire him in January and are willing to pay a double-digit amount for the player.
Raum joined Leipzig back in 2022 from TSG Hoffenheim for a package of £25M (30M Euros). In Leipzig, Raum has become one of the go-to starters for the club and is also the current captain of the club. With the German side, the 28-year-old has won a DFB-Pokal in the 2022-23 season and also the DFL Supercup in the 2023 season.
David Raum’s attacking prowess for RB Leipzig includes carrying the ball and creating chances from the left wing by putting crosses near the box. This attacking nature makes Raum a great fit in Hansi Flick’s system as well.
Barca sporting director Deco has been keeping a close eye on the player for a few months now, as the club was previously linked with the German footballer. Rumours unfolded around September and even last month that the Spanish giants were considering a move for the 28-year-old in the summer transfer window as well, which eventually didn’t materialize.
Now, with just a few months left in the winter transfer window, it will need to be seen whether the Catalan giants actually make a move for the 28-year-old German left-back.
