FC Barcelona have a good number of defenders in their squad for this season, with Hansi Flick being particularly spoilt for choice in the center-back position.
On the flanks, Alejandro Balde is the starter with Gerard Martin as his deputy on the left, while on the right, Jules Kounde is the starter, and Eric Garcia also plays in this position when the Frenchman has to be rested or replaced.
Although he has played well in any position on which he has been fielded lately, Garcia still is not a natural fullback, and the Blaugranes have been linked with several right-backs to support Kounde on the right flank.
[One of the players with whom they have been particularly linked in recent months has been the Rayo Vallecano fullback Andrei Ratiu](https://semprebarca.com/hansi-flick-gives-his-approval-to-sign-decos-preferred-right-back-for-barcelona/). Barcelona have long been interested in him, but Garcia’s good performances on the right flank kept them from making a move for another right-back.
And now, according to a report from [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/ratiu-opcion-futuro-disipa-renovar-123983669), the 27-year-old Romanian defender has gotten further out of hand of the Catalan club, as he has signed a new contract with Rayo, which will keep him at the Madrid club for the next four seasons.
Andrei Ratiu has been one of the most notable fullbacks in La Liga recently, and Rayo have rejected several big offers for him to keep him in their ranks. For now, it seems highly improbable that he will play for Barcelona any time soon.