Barcelona have reportedly stepped up their interest in Inter Milan left-back Federico Dimarco, with the Catalan giants said to have held two meetings with the Italian defender and his representative in Milan over a potential move in 2027.

The discussions are understood to form part of Barcelona’s long-term planning for the left-back position, with the club increasingly preparing for the possibility of Alejandro Balde leaving Camp Nou.

Dimarco has emerged as an attractive option for Barcelona because of his attacking qualities, tactical intelligence and experience at the highest level. His current contract situation could also make the 2027 opportunity particularly appealing to the Spanish giants.

Barcelona Identify Dimarco as Potential Balde Replacement

Barcelona’s reported interest in Dimarco is closely linked to uncertainty surrounding Balde’s future.

The Spanish full-back has established himself as an important member of Barcelona’s squad, particularly because of his pace, ability to carry the ball forward and willingness to attack from deep. However, his potential departure has increasingly become a possibility, forcing the club to consider alternatives.

Dimarco would represent a different type of left-back.

While Balde’s biggest strengths are his speed and ability to cover large spaces, Dimarco is particularly dangerous when contributing in the final third. The Inter defender possesses an excellent delivery from wide areas and has developed a reputation for producing dangerous crosses and creating opportunities for teammates.

For a Barcelona side that values possession, width and attacking full-backs, those qualities could make Dimarco an excellent tactical fit.

Two Meetings Reportedly Held in Milan

The reported fact that Barcelona have already held two meetings with Dimarco and his agent is significant.

At this stage, there is no indication that a transfer agreement has been reached, but multiple meetings suggest that Barcelona are taking their interest seriously. Rather than simply monitoring the player, the club appears to be assessing the possibility of reaching an agreement well in advance of the proposed 2027 move.

Barcelona’s financial situation also means that planning transfers ahead of time can be particularly important.

If Dimarco’s contract situation allows him to become available without a significant transfer fee, Barcelona could see the Italian as an opportunity to strengthen the position without committing to the kind of enormous transfer expenditure that a younger elite-level full-back might require.

However, negotiations could still become complicated, particularly if Inter Milan succeed in convincing Dimarco to extend his stay in Italy.

What Would Dimarco Bring to Barcelona?

Dimarco’s attacking output would arguably be his biggest attraction for Barcelona.

The Italian has become one of Inter’s most effective weapons from the left flank. His crossing ability allows him to create chances without necessarily needing to enter the penalty area, while his understanding of space enables him to combine effectively with forwards and midfielders.

He can also operate as a conventional left-back or play higher up the pitch in a wing-back role.

That tactical versatility could be particularly valuable to Barcelona, whose tactical system can require full-backs to perform different responsibilities depending on the phase of the game.

Dimarco’s experience would also be a major advantage. By 2027, he would be 29 years old, meaning Barcelona would not be signing him primarily as a long-term developmental project. Instead, the expectation would be for him to arrive as an experienced player capable of making an immediate contribution.

A Different Profile From Balde

Replacing Balde with Dimarco would not necessarily mean finding a direct stylistic replacement.

Balde offers Barcelona exceptional acceleration and ball-carrying ability. When given space, he can drive forward and stretch opposition defences with his pace.

Dimarco, meanwhile, would give Barcelona a greater emphasis on delivery, crossing and attacking decision-making.

That difference could actually benefit the team.

Rather than attempting to replicate everything Balde provides, Barcelona could use Dimarco’s strengths to introduce another attacking dimension. His ability to deliver quality balls into the box could be especially useful against teams that defend deep and leave little room for traditional dribbling opportunities.

His experience in Inter’s highly tactical system could also help him adapt to demanding European football.

Barcelona’s Long-Term Planning

Barcelona’s reported approach towards Dimarco demonstrates the importance of planning ahead in the transfer market.

Instead of waiting until Balde’s future is completely decided before searching for a replacement, the club appears to be exploring possible options well in advance.

That approach could give Barcelona more time to negotiate personal terms, assess alternative targets and determine whether Dimarco remains the right option when the 2027 transfer window arrives.

Much can change in football over the next year, and a transfer that appears possible now is not guaranteed to happen. Dimarco could renew his contract with Inter, Barcelona could pursue another left-back, or Balde could ultimately remain at Camp Nou.

For now, however, the Italian appears to be firmly on Barcelona’s radar.

Could Federico Dimarco Really Join Barcelona?

A move to Barcelona would represent another major chapter in Dimarco’s career.

The Italian has developed into an important player for Inter and has earned recognition for his performances at both domestic and European level. A move to La Liga would give him the opportunity to experience another major European league while joining one of the world’s most prominent clubs.

For Barcelona, meanwhile, Dimarco could provide an experienced and attack-minded solution if Balde eventually leaves.

The reported meetings in Milan indicate that the Catalan club is at least exploring the possibility seriously. Nevertheless, with the proposed transfer still looking ahead to 2027, there is plenty of time for circumstances to change.

For now, Barcelona appear to be keeping their options open while Dimarco emerges as one of the leading candidates to take over from Balde on the left side of their defence.

If the Italian does eventually arrive at Camp Nou, Barcelona would be gaining a player who offers something slightly different from Balde: less emphasis on explosive pace, but potentially greater quality and consistency in the final third.

The coming months will reveal whether those initial discussions develop into a concrete transfer agreement.