The powers that be at Barcelona are giving consideration to bringing Chadi Riad back to the club with a view to next season.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who have provided a fresh insight into developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.
Barca, it is understood, could be primed to bid farewell to at least one key member of the club’s defensive ranks this summer.
This comes with the Blaugrana desperate for fresh funds to reinvest into the first-team squad, and all of Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, and youngster Pau Cubarsí attracting widespread interest.
Should one or more of this trio be moved on, though, Deco and his team have already identified a cut-price solution to reinforce the heart of the club’s backline.
The solution in question would come by way of the return of the aforementioned Chadi Riad.
Riad, for his part, is a 20-year-old stopper, currently plying his trade with Real Betis, on loan from Barcelona.
The Moroccan – recently afforded his first senior cap by his country in the buildup to the AFCON – has enjoyed a solid campaign to date, long establishing himself as an important member of Manuel Pellegrini’s defensive ranks.
And those at his parent club, it would appear, are keeping a close watch on Riad’s development.
According to Sport, the youngster is viewed as a player who ‘can help the next project a lot’, therefore increasingly likely to make his way back to base in Catalunya with a view to next season.
Conor Laird | GSFN
