Barcelona weigh move for Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch as Ronald Araujo’s future emerges

Barcelona are monitoring Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch as they assess options to strengthen a position regarded as the weakest area of their squad.

The 20-year-old Germany international fits one of the club’s preferred recruitment profiles: a young player with significant potential. Barcelona are also tracking players who could represent an opportunity in the transfer market, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Jeltsch has attracted interest from several leading European clubs while playing for Stuttgart, who are competing in the Champions League this season. Real Madrid and Liverpool have also included the centre-back on their shortlists since the beginning of the campaign.

He made 37 appearances for Stuttgart last season, performances which helped earn him a place in Germany’s World Cup squad. However, he did not play in the tournament.

“Therefore, the 20-year-old would be an ideal option to strengthen the cursed position: Barcelona’s centre-back role, which remains the weakest link in the Catalan side,” Sport reported.

Jeltsch’s performances at the start of this season have encouraged a number of major clubs to step up their interest. Stuttgart’s approach has similarities with Barcelona’s, particularly their use of pressing and a high defensive line.

That system helped Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League last season. In this season’s league phase of the competition, they have taken seven points from a possible nine.

Jeltsch has continued to develop quickly and has already become the leader of Stuttgart’s defence. He is comfortable using both feet, while his passing and ability to move across the back line are also considered strengths.

Flick gives approval for potential summer move

Sport, citing a report from Bild, highlighted two qualities which fit closely with Hans Flick’s defensive plans: Jeltsch’s ability to defend in open spaces and his positioning when operating with the offside line.

Flick knows the Bundesliga well and, after studying the player, has given his approval in principle for Barcelona to work towards a possible signing during the summer transfer window.

There has already been discussion of a bid being made in the current winter window, although that appears unlikely. Sport said, citing Sports Illustrated, that Stuttgart would demand more than 60m euros for the defender.

That fee would make a move to Spotify Camp Nou in the short term difficult. Although Joan Laporta and Barcelona have returned to the 1:1 financial rule, the club does not have enough cash available to complete a deal of that size in January.

Real Madrid are also considering Jeltsch as they attempt to improve a defence which has become a concern after two seasons without a trophy. The club can no longer rely on past reputations, with Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao no longer viewed as completely dependable options.

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are also monitoring the defender, although both clubs appear to have more settled and organised defences and no clear need to make a new signing.

Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, are the latest club to enter the race. Their interest is particularly significant to Barcelona because Jeltsch plays the same position as Ronald Araujo, who is on loan from the Catalan club at Liverpool.

The potential deal involving the Uruguay international and the activation of his 55m-euro release clause could therefore be linked to Jeltsch’s future.