Xavi interested in Pablo Maffeo

Right back continues to be an ongoing issue for Barcelona and now a report by La Portera de Núñez has suggested that Xavi has his eye on Pablo Maffeo to fill the void.

[TRANSLATION: As I gossiped to you on June 6, Sevilla wants Maffeo to replace Navas… but I keep hearing that young man Xavi also likes it… and it would be cheaper than Fresneda]

Although Barcelona are close to snapping up Deportivo La Coruna right-back Alvaro Perez Campo, more commonly known as Trilli. That signing is being made with an eye to the future, and Trilli is expected to join Rafa Marquez’s Barca Atletic side.

Barcelona have long been linked with a deal for Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda, but as the above report indicates, Maffeo is likely to cost a lot less.

Fresneda who is currently with the U19 Spanish team, was asked recently about the reported interest from Barcelona, to which he replied:

"“Barça’s interest? I’m very calm. The interest from big teams is something that gives me strength to keep working on. These things are handled by my agents.”"

26-year-old drawing interest from Xavi

Maffeo currently plays football for RCD Mallorca, having joined Los Piratas in 2022 after a successful loan spell from Stuttgart in Germany.

A former academy prospect of Manchester City, Maffeo has spent significant time out on loan over his senior career. He’s had three spells at Girona, one at Huesca and then finally Mallorca.

Known as an outstanding tackler with excellent instincts, Maffeo is also a keen forward-thinking player who likes to get into the final third.

The 26-year-old provided 4 assists last year for Mallorca and chipped in with two goals of his own.

It’s unclear how serious the interest is in Maffeo from Barca, and it may be the case of an agent trying to drum up interest in his client.