Caio Henrique of AS Monaco is the most recent name to be connected to Barcelona in order to bolster the left side of the defense, according to the Spanish news source Fichajes (via Diario SPORT).
It’s no secret that the team wants to bolster that aspect of the story, mainly because Marcos Alonso’s current deal expires in 2023 and the former Chelsea player hasn’t done anything to merit a starting position to begin with.
Additionally, with Jordi Alba nearing the end of his career, Xavi seems to have lost faith in the seasoned defender, leaving Alejandro Balde as the team’s lone natural left-back going forward.
Henrique, who played for Atletico Madrid’s reserve team early in his career, has already experienced the flavors of Spanish football. The 25-year-old left-back spent two seasons with the team’s development program after being sold to the capital club in 2016.
He got to make one senior game for Atletico Madrid before going on loan to Parana in 2018, and it came during a 6-0 Copa del Rey victory over Club Deportivo Guijuelo.
The Brazilian returned to Europe in 2020 after a run of loan stints with Gremio and Fluminense, signing a five-year deal with AS Monaco. The 25-year-old made an astounding 49 appearances for the principality club last season across all competitions.
Henrique has, to put it mildly, had a very successful current season. In 11 Ligue 1 appearances while playing three different positions, the left-back has five assists in addition to one goal.
Barcelona is still hunting for parts as of right now to fix the team. Xavi is aware that Jordi Alba’s future is mostly unknowable and that Alonso is not a viable long-term option. He needs someone who can compete with Balde in order to get through the confusion.
The management would acquire Henrique not just as a left-back but also as a player who is equally adept at manning a variety of positions, such as wide winger and central midfielder.
