Barcelona set to face competition from Manchester City for 20-year-old defender - Reports

Barcelona are battling Manchester City in the race to sign RB Salzburg defender Samson Baidoo, according to SPORT. The Catalans are keeping a close eye on the football circuit in Austria, which has been home to some talented players in recent years.

Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane, and Karim Adeyemi first made a name for themselves with the Austrian club, before stamping their authority in Europe. Baidoo has emerged as the next big thing out of the Red Bull Arena.

The 20-year-old rose through the ranks at RB Salzburg and has already cemented his place in the starting XI. The imposing defender is good on the ball and has been an omnipresent figure under Pepijn Lijnders this season.

Baidoo has appeared nine times for the Austrian side this season, all of which have been starts. His efforts have reportedly impressed Barcelona, who are looking for a new defender at the moment.

The Catalans are said to be sweating on the future of Ronald Araujo, who could be on the move next year. The Uruguayan was linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer but a transfer failed to materialize.

The La Liga giants are reportedly preparing for his eventual departure and have identified Baidoo as an option. With Inigo Martinez's contract running out in 2025, the Austrian defender could help strengthen Hansi Flick's defence.

Can Barcelona pip Manchester City to Samson Baidoo’s signature?

Interest from Manchester City, however, could be a big threat to Barcelona's pursuit of the Austrian defender. The Citizens have been keeping a close watch on Samson Baidoo for around 18 months and their scouts have apparently identified him as a priority target.

The 20-year-old is under contract with RB Salzburg until 2027, so prising him away won't be easy. Given the rising interest in the player, the Austrian club are likely to demand a sizeable fee for his services, which could be an issue for the La Liga giants as well.

The Catalans are under financial distress and cannot match the monetary might of the Premier League champions.

Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan all have the Austrian on their radar. As such, there could be a melee for his services next summer.

Given the circumstances, Barcelona could consider alternatives to the Baidoo. Jonathan Tah, whose contract with Bayer Leverkusen expires in less than a year, is apparently on their radar as well.

However, there's likely to be intense competition for the German defender should he become available for free next summer.