Italian press links Barça with Dodô: could he be the ideal replacement for Koundé?

One of the priorities of FC Barcelona heading into the next summer market seems to be the acquisition of a right-back who can provide depth to a position where Jules Koundé is an undisputed starter. While the Frenchman has performed at a high level, the workload this season has been excessive (3,901' out of a possible 4,230'), highlighting the need for a reliable replacement.

In that context, several names have emerged as possible reinforcements for the right lane: Andrei Rațiu (Rayo Vallecano), Vanderson (AS Monaco), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) and Marc Pubill (UD Almería). However, in recent weeks, an old acquaintance has resurfaced on the Blaugrana agenda: Dodô, currently a Fiorentina player.

The native of Taubaté already interested FC Barcelona in 2022, when he played for Shakhtar Donetsk. At that time, the operation did not materialize due to the economic limitations of the Catalan team. Dodô ended up signing with 'Fiore', who presented a firmer proposal and closed his incorporation for around 15 million euros.

Dodô reappears on FC Barcelona's radar

Now, with the passage of time and considering that Dodô —who many compare to Dani Alves for his offensive style— has established himself as one of the best full-backs in Serie A with the 'Viola', it would not be surprising if he were to be in FC Barcelona's orbit again. Even, according to the Italian newspaper 'Corriere dello Sport', the Brazilian would not be unaware of the interest of the Catalan team and, for that reason, he would have paralyzed negotiations to renew his contract with the violet team, which ends on June 30, 2027.

• Dodô's numbers in the 2024-25 season with Fiorentina: zero goals and five assists in 39 matches.

In turn, it is highlighted that the right-back's agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, maintains a good relationship with the board of FC Barcelona, which could facilitate an eventual incorporation. On paper, the operation seems viable also from an economic point of view, since Dodô is in the last years of his contract, which would probably lead to more favorable negotiation conditions.

However, an approximate figure for his transfer has not yet been revealed. According to 'Transfermarkt', his current market value is 22 million euros.

Experience, projection and style: keys to Dodô's possible incorporation to Barça

Now we will have to see what this alleged interest of FC Barcelona in Dodô leads to, a full-back with valuable experience after his time in Portugal (Vitoria Guimaraes), Ukraine (Shakhtar Donetsk) and Italy (Fiorentina). He is a player with markedly offensive characteristics, typical of Brazilian football, but who also stands out for his excellent physical condition, which allows him to also provide defensive solidity on his flank. A profile that, by all accounts, could fit into the sports planning of the Blaugrana team.