€15m Monaco defender contacted by Barcelona

FC Barcelona is showing serious interest in a top Monaco defender after making contact over a potential €15m move.

Although the Portuguese is still a first‑choice target, his loan status from Al Hilal and the Saudi club’s reported asking price—along with the financial weight of his wages—have made the operation “complicated,” according to Barcelona’s recruitment team.

With that in mind, the Blaugrana have already mapped out a Plan B that fits better within La Liga’s financial constraints while still providing a solid starting‑level profile.

The €15m Monaco defender contacted by Barcelona is Caio Henrique, the 27‑year‑old Brazilian left‑back whose contract with AS Monaco is entering its final year, as reported by Diario Sport.

The club’s technical staff view Henrique as a financially feasible solution: his valuation is pegged around €15 million, with room for Barcelona to push the price down in negotiations, while his flexibility—he can also operate as a wing‑back or auxiliary winger—fits Hansi Flick’s high‑pressing, front‑foot system.

Barcelona’s existing relationship with Monaco, strengthened by past deals including the loan of Ansu Fati, could help smooth talks and lend further credibility to the idea of a summer move.

For Barcelona, targeting Henrique would be a classic cost‑sensitive yet pragmatic move: a ready‑made La Liga‑calibre full‑back who can immediately challenge or even replace Alejandro Balde, depending on the Portuguese situation.

For Henrique, a switch to Camp Nou offers a chance to play in La Liga, the Champions League, and on a bigger global stage, with a strong World Cup‑style performance this summer only likely to raise his market value.

While Cancelo remains the club’s preferred choice, Caio Henrique now stands as a realistic, €15m‑level alternative that Barcelona are ready to push for if the Portuguese deal collapses.