Report: Barcelona set to sign African defender from Real Betis

Barcelona are reportedly set to activate Chadi Riad’s buy-back clause and bring him back to the club.

The 21-year-old currently plays for Real Betis after spending his formative years at the Barcelona subsidiaries. The Blaugrana are reportedly interested in bringing him back to the club, only a season after selling him to the Andalusian club.

According to multiple sources, including the reliable Fabrizio Romano, the LALIGA champions have decided to trigger the buyback clause included in the sale of Riad to Betis.

Betis signed the Moroccan defender in the summer; however, Barcelona retained 50% of his rights and a buy-back clause.

They are now set to trigger said release clause at the end of the season; however, Betis will also retain 50% of his sell-on clause.

The report has now sparked speculations over the futures of Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, who could be sold for fair play, given Barcelona’s finances.

Meanwhile, Spanish giants Barcelona are on the brink of a major crisis as reports emerge of a possible exclusion from the UEFA Champions League starting from the 2024/2025 season.

The looming ban is attributed to alleged serious violations of financial regulations set by the European football association UEFA, with insiders decrying the state of the Blaugrana’s latest financial statements.