Tagliafico, possible 'hidden card' for Barça's defense

Published New:29/06/2025 - 01:21h

Updated New:6/07/2025 - 05:14h

Lyon's relegation opens the door for Nicolás Tagliafico to leave. Will the Argentine be Barça's next left-back? The defender is also on the radar of Sevilla and Roma

FC Barcelona continues to pay attention to different 'low cost' market options to strengthen their defense. The board does not rule out signing a left-back, as long as Gerard Martín ends up leaving in the summer market. With Alejandro Balde as an undisputed starter, the ideal is to bet on an experienced player to shield the left lane.

In that sense, the latest information points to Nicolás Tagliafico as a possible 'hidden card' for Barça in the summer market. The 32-year-old player completed his contract with Olympique de Lyon at the end of 24/25 and, with the administrative relegation of the French team to the second division, it is almost certain that the left-back, along with the rest of the squad's figures, will leave the club.

Tagliafico arrived at Lyon in 2022 from Ajax in exchange for 4.2 million euros. With Olympique, he played a total of 102 matches in which he scored 9 goals and provided 10 assists, establishing himself as one of the best in Ligue 1 in his demarcation.

An ideal full-back for Barça? Tagliafico, on the podium of scorers

In 24/25, the native of the province of Buenos Aires scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in 33 matches (2,652 minutes) with Lyon. Only Robin Gosens (8 with Fiorentina) and Marc Cucurella (6 with Chelsea) scored more goals in the five major leagues last season when it comes to left-backs.

In addition, 'Nico' was a key player with his national team in Qatar, being a starter in 3 matches (including the semi-final and the final) with the world champion Argentina. His honors also include two Copa Américas and a Finalissima.

In principle, he is an ideal defender for Hansi Flick's scheme thanks to his verticality. The possibility of signing him for 'zero cost', with a smaller contract, is also a point in favor of Tagliafico. However, the 'culés' are not, by any means, alone in the 'race' for the former Ajax defender, where he won two leagues.

Sevilla and Roma also want Nicolás Tagliafico

In LaLiga, one of the most interested in the South American defender is Sevilla. The Seville team has not had a regular player in that position since the departure of Marcos Acuña (River Plate) and Joaquín Caparrós prioritizes incorporating an experienced defender to cover the left side.

Outside of Spain, Roma is also attentive to the future of the Argentine defender. The 'wolf' has Angeliño as a reliable alternative for the left-back, since the Dutchman Salah-Eddine barely played a handful of minutes in his first semester in Italy and will probably leave on loan in July.

Will Barça be able to anticipate both teams in the 'race' for Nicolás Tagliafico? Much will depend on the future of Gerard Martín, who currently has two interesting offers to go to the Premier League.