Barcelona President Joan Laporta recently disclosed that Xavi Hernandez, the newly appointed manager, has urged the club to secure the services of a new right-back in this summer’s transfer window. This move aims to finally address a persisting issue that has plagued Barcelona for the past seven years, hindering their defensive stability.

Among the potential targets identified by Barcelona is Pablo Maffeo. The 26-year-old has been subject to intense speculation regarding his departure from Mallorca, making him an economically viable signing for the reigning LaLiga champions. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive betting odds from Empire777.

However, in a recent development reported by Sport, it appears that Sevilla has reached an agreement with Mallorca for the acquisition of Maffeo. The deal includes a player exchange, with Rafa Mir, Oscar Rodriguez, and Juanlu Sanchez moving to the Balearic side.

Sevilla’s pursuit of Maffeo stems from their desire to offload Gonzalo Montiel during this transfer window. The Argentine international has expressed his eagerness to part ways with the Europa League champions, creating an opportunity for Maffeo to assume his role within Jose Luis Mendilibar’s squad.

While there may be a glimmer of hope for Barcelona to potentially hijack the deal, the situation currently faces a delay due to the reluctance of Rafa Mir to join Mallorca. Mir’s uncertainty could potentially open a window of opportunity for Barcelona. However, it appears that the Catalan giants are set to miss out on yet another right-back target.

With time ticking in the transfer window, Barcelona must act swiftly and decisively to secure a suitable right-back reinforcement. Failure to address this persistent issue could leave them vulnerable and further hinder their defensive solidity. The coming days will be crucial as Barcelona continues their search for the missing piece in their defensive puzzle. Get the latest updates from the La Liga only on Empire777 Sports.