High price tag could scare Barcelona away from Ferland Mendy

Barcelona do not have extensive funds for the left-back signing

Although the left-back crisis in the squad is harming the results, Barcelona have allocated the majority of the transfer funds for other positions for the upcoming summer transfer window. As a result, Ferland Mendy may cease to be a viable option for left-back.

The last transaction involving Lyon and Barça took place in the summer of 2016, when Samuel Umtiti moved clubs for a fee of €25 million. Due to his performances at Barça, the transfer has turned out to be a huge bargain. Lyon do not want to repeat that mistake.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas does have a very good relationship with Barça, but he is expected to demand an exorbitant fee for Ferland Mendy nevertheless. The 23-year old French left-back has emerged as one of the finest young full-backs in Europe.

More from FC Barcelona News

• Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
• FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
• FC Barcelona tracking 20-year-old goal machine
• Lamine Yamal’s involvement causing tension at FC Barcelona
• How can Xavi unlock Joao Felix for FC Barcelona?

The price tag will certainly be above €40 million, in the region of €50 million. Unless Éric Abidal can somehow negotiate that to around €35 million, Ferland Mendy can almost be rejected as an option. The club are not ready to spend that kind of money on Jordi Alba’s successor.

The real priority for Barça in the summer transfer window is the centre-forward position, where Luis Suárez has struggled to perform in recent times. Luka Jović is the main target, and the Serbian striker is sure to trigger a bidding war in the summer.

Barça are saving up for that fight with Europe’s elite, and the left-back position has taken a back seat. But hopefully, Abidal can negotiate an appropriate fee with his former club. Otherwise, the club has to give Marc Cucurella a spot in the first-team squad, or call up Juan Miranda.