Tylel Tati: possible target for Barça in the 2026 summer market

FC Barcelona seems to have the signing of a left-footed center-back among its market priorities for 2026. The departure of Iñigo Martínez to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr has left a gap in the center of the defense that, for the moment, neither Pau Cubarsí nor Andreas Christensen have managed to cover with guarantees, although the Catalan is, for now, maintaining his place in the starting lineup in La Liga and the Champions League.

The defeats against PSG (1-2) and Sevilla (4-1) exposed the problems of a defensive line that has ceased to be reliable when playing the offside trap far from its area. In that sense, the Barça management has several names on its radar, one of them being the Frenchman Tylel Tati.

The defender, just 17 years old, has earned a starting spot with Nantes and is emerging as one of the most reliable center-backs for France in the next decade. The player from Champigny-sur-Marne has started in the first 6 matchdays of Ligue 1, with only one caution and 516 minutes played with Luis Castro's team.

Tylel Tati, an infallible center back in aerial play with enormous potential

Tati's main virtue is his authority in the aerial game. Thanks to his height (1.92 m), the youngster is a guarantee in the air, as well as being physically strong despite his youth. Tylel arrived in Nantes in 2023 from Clairefontaine and before making the leap to the first team, he scored 1 goal in 23 games with the club's U-19 reserve team.

For now, his market value reaches 6 million euros and, as he recently renewed until 2028, the Canary Island team is rubbing its hands together at the prospect of a millionaire transfer in the medium term. In principle, the defender could leave around 20 million 'kilos' net in the coffers of the yellow team, although this amount could be higher according to the '78' projection.

A natural left-footer, Tati also boasts a cultured foot, very assured in playing out from the back and confident in building play from his own half. Despite his age, the defender has demonstrated character and personality on the field, as well as composure to deal with the rumors that place him on the radar of several European giants.

Beyond the possible interest of Barcelona and other teams, Tylel is not planning to leave Nantes in the short term. The latest reports indicate the defender's desire to stay a reasonable time at his club to establish himself in the French elite. Afterwards, there will be time to evaluate offers.

Barça could fully enter the bidding war for Tylel Tati

The Barça management, meanwhile, remains very attentive to the evolution of Tylel Tati and does not rule out fully entering the bidding war for his signing from winter onwards. The Frenchman could change scenery from the nineteenth day of the coming year, as he will come of age on January 19.

For Barça, for the time being, the possibility of signing another center-back in the next transfer window is not being considered. But this position may change depending on two factors: the team's defensive performance in the final stretch of 2025 and the expected return to the 1:1 rule.

If the club manages to operate normally in terms of 'Fair Play' in the next market, it will be much more feasible to absorb the arrival of a reinforcement if Hansi Flick considers another center-back appropriate. Names like Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund) and Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP) are also strongly rumored to be on the Barça radar.

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