Barcelona Reportedly Targeting Argentine Defender Kevin Lomónaco Amid Potential Squad Reshuffle
FC Barcelona is reportedly keeping a close watch on Argentine centre-back Kevin Joel Lomónaco, a promising 23-year-old currently playing on loan for Club Atlético Independiente from Red Bull Bragantino. The Spanish giants are said to be seriously considering Lomónaco as a transfer target, especially if they decide to sell one or more of their current central defenders—specifically Ronald Araújo or Andreas Christensen.
This potential transfer was brought to public attention by football journalist Eduardo Inda during a segment on the popular Spanish sports show El Chiringuito. According to Inda, Lomónaco is among the top names on Barcelona’s shortlist should they need to reinforce their defensive line in the upcoming transfer window.
However, bringing Lomónaco to Camp Nou wouldn’t be a simple transaction. His ownership is split between two clubs: Independiente holds 75% of his player rights, while the remaining 25% belongs to Red Bull Bragantino. This division of rights means that any deal to secure his services would require careful coordination and agreement among all three parties—Barcelona, Independiente, and Bragantino.
To complicate matters further, Independiente has recently extended Lomónaco’s contract until December 2028, and as part of the renewal, the club has also increased his salary. This signals their intention to retain the player unless their valuation is fully met. Reports suggest that the Argentine side is asking for a transfer fee in the region of $20 million USD, although Barcelona could potentially bypass negotiations by activating the player’s release clause if they choose to.
From a sporting perspective, Lomónaco has developed into a reliable and commanding presence in Independiente’s backline. Over the course of his time at the club, he has made approximately 45 appearances and contributed a couple of goals—an added bonus for a centre-back. Standing at 1.92 meters tall, he is known for his dominance in aerial duels, physical strength, and most notably, his composure and confidence when playing the ball out from the back. These characteristics make him a good fit for Barcelona’s traditional playing style, which emphasizes defenders who can both defend solidly and initiate attacks.
In summary, should Barcelona opt to part ways with one of their starting centre-backs this summer, Kevin Lomónaco could be their ideal replacement. However, the potential deal is complicated by third-party ownership rights, a high asking price, and a freshly signed long-term contract, all of which would require careful and possibly lengthy negotiations. His current estimated market value is between €12 million and €20 million, and any transfer would likely require multi-party cooperation and possibly a significant financial outlay.
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Key Points Recap:
Player Name: Kevin Joel Lomónaco
Age: 23
Position: Centre-back
Current Status: On loan at Independiente from Red Bull Bragantino
Barcelona’s Interest: Potential signing if Araújo or Christensen is sold
Ownership Split: 75% Independiente, 25% Brag
