According to a report from Spanish publication AS (h/t Mirror), Mustafa Dogru, who is the former agent of Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu, has claimed that Barcelona are interested in signing the 23-year-old Turkish international.
Soyuncu spent his youth career at the academies of Turkish clubs Menemen and Bucaspor, before joining Aliaga FK in January 2013. He spent 18 months at the club, before another Turkish outfit, Altinordu, signed him in the summer of 2014. 40 appearances and two seasons later, the centre-back signed for German outfit SC Freiburg.
The 23-year-old grew into a key player at the German outfit and spent two years at the club, before Leicester came calling in 2018. Soyuncu did not play much for the Foxes in his debut campaign in England. But he has become one of the first names on the teamsheet in the 2019/20 campaign.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have had an inconsistent campaign. They may be sitting at the top of La Liga, but their form has blown hot and cold over the course of the season. This resulted in the sacking of Ernesto Valverde, with Quique Setien getting named as his replacement.
The Catalans’ defence has flattered to deceive in the 2019/20 campaign. The La Liga leaders have conceded 31 goals in 27 matches already this season. In comparison, Barcelona let in just 36 in 38 league matches over the entirety of the 2018/19 season. Thus, this indicates that the club are in need of strengthening at the back in the summer.
Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti are the three centre-backs currently at the manager’s disposal. Among the three, Umtiti has spent a large part of the campaign out on the sidelines due to injuries. Pique, at 33, is entering the final phase of his career at the top level.
Furthermore, Umtiti is facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou and could be sold this summer. So, it becomes imperative that Barcelona bring in a new centre-back before next season. And to that end, Leicester’s Soyuncu would be a viable option for the Blaugrana.
The 23-year-old has been one of Leicester City’s top players this season, helping them to the third place in the Premier League. Soyuncu has missed just one the Foxes’ 29 league outings. In his 28 appearances in the English top-flight, he has helped the team to 10 clean sheets. In addition, he has also chipped in with a goal and an assist each.
Moreover, the 23-year-old was integral to Turkey’s UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, leading them to the best defensive record in the qualifiers.
Signing Soyuncu would provide Barcelona with a young defender, who will provide some much-needed solidity and depth at the back for the club. Furthermore, with experience, the 23-year-old has what it takes to replace Gerard Pique in due time.
Barcelona need to boost their defensive options immediately, while also putting in place a succession plan for Pique. And by signing Soyuncu from Leicester City, they would be achieving both the targets in one shot.
