Liverpool and Manchester City have reportedly joined Barcelona in the race for Rayo Vallecano's Andrei Ratiu.
Barcelona are planning to move for a new right-back during this summer's transfer window, and it is understood that Ratiu is high on their wishlist, with the Romania international impressing during the 2024-25 campaign.
A recent report claimed that Ratiu 'has the support' of a number of players in the Barcelona dressing room due to his form this term, with the Catalan outfit said to be lining up an offer in the region of €20m (£16.7m).
However, according to Sport Bild, there is also interest from the Premier League in the shape of Liverpool and Man City, with the duo potentially competing for his signature during this summer's transfer window.
Liverpool are set to be in the market for a new right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold widely expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Man City are still looking for a replacement for Kyle Walker, who left for AC Milan in January.
Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu in September 2024.© Imago
Liverpool, Man City 'to compete' for Rayo defender Ratiu
Rayo sporting director David Cobeno has said that his team "are very happy" to have Ratiu, but the defender will be available for transfer if his release clause is met.
"We are very happy with Andrei here," Cobeno told DAZN. "The motto is always the same: whoever wants him has to pay his release clause. We're very confident about the future. Time will tell whether he stays with us or whether someone else pays his release clause."
The buy-out fee in Ratiu's deal is believed to be €25m (£21m), slightly higher than the offer that Barcelona are said to be preparing.
However, the 26-year-old represents a huge bargain at that price considering his performance levels this season, with Ratiu proving to be comfortably one of the standout defenders in the top flight of Spanish football.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick on August 27, 2024© Imago
Which club will win the race for Ratiu?
Barcelona are believed to be at the head of the queue for Ratiu, with the Catalan outfit said to have put the framework of a deal in place.
The Romanian has made 28 appearances for Rayo this season, scoring twice and providing three assists, while he has represented the capital side on 44 occasions since arriving from Huesca in the summer of 2023.
Villarreal are believed to have a buyback clause, with the Yellow Submarine selling him to Huesca in 2021, and it has been claimed that Marcelino's team could re-sign him this summer in order to sell for a huge profit.
As a result, it is a deal to watch closely as the summer window approaches, but it will be extremely difficult for Rayo to keep hold of him, with a move to a major European club seemingly on the horizon.
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