Barcelona tracking Fiorentina defender Dodo after contract renewal refusal

Brazilian defender Dodo is set to leave Fiorentina after declining to extend his contract, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 26-year-old has attracted interest from Barcelona, the leaders of the Spanish championship and one of the leading clubs in European football.

Barcelona are understood to be seeking greater defensive reliability, particularly at right-back. Eric Garcia currently occupies that position, while Jules Kounde had played there until recently.

Dodo is viewed as a possible solution to that weakness, but it remains to be seen whether the situation changes by next summer or whether a deal could be concluded as early as January.