Barcelona eye shock move for Southampton defender

 

Barcelona have emerged as surprise suitors for Southampton right-back Cedric Soares, according to The Daily Telegraph.

 

Luis Enrique’s side failed to sign a replacement for Dani Alves last summer and Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal have struggled to fill the void between them.

 

Barcelona are now expected to splash out on a new right-back at the end of the season regardless of whether Enrique is still at the club with Soares firmly on their radar.

 

The reigning La Liga champions were hopeful of bringing Hector Bellerin back to the club last summer before he penned a new long-term deal with Arsenal and they are now weighing up a summer move for Saints defender Soares.

 

Barcelona eye shock move for Southampton defender

 

Soares, 25, has spent the last two years at Southampton after joining from Sporting in 2015 and the right-back also played a key role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph.

 

In the last two Premier League campaigns no player has completed more crosses (excluding corners) than Soares (59).

 

For more stats on Cedric Soares, click here to visit his WhoScored player page