FC Barcelona target Austrian-Ghanaian defender Samson Baidoo

Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on 20-year-old Austrian-Ghanaian defender Samson Baidoo, currently playing for RB Salzburg, as part of their long-term plans to strengthen their defense.

Baidoo, nicknamed 'Sammy,' has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders, attracting interest from top clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan. His commanding presence on the field, combined with excellent ball control, has made him a key figure at Salzburg, where he has featured in nine of their ten matches this season.

Standing at 1.9 meters tall, Baidoo’s rapid rise from Salzburg’s youth academy to the first team has not gone unnoticed. He also earned his first senior cap for Austria’s national team, highlighting his growing reputation.

Barcelona, known for investing in young talent, have already added two Ghanaian players—David Oduro and Abdul Aziz Issah—to their ranks and are keen to further bolster their squad with Baidoo. With his current contract at Salzburg running until 2027, Baidoo’s market value is estimated at €8 million, though the final transfer fee could be much higher given the strong competition for his signature.

Manchester City, in particular, have been closely monitoring Baidoo for the past 18 months, adding further intrigue to the potential transfer.

Born in Austria with Ghanaian heritage, Baidoo has represented Austria at various youth levels. In October 2023, he earned his first call-up to the Austrian senior national team for their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan, but the possibility of switching allegiance to Ghana remains open.