Shakhtar Donetsk boss confirms Barcelona's interest in Srna

Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca hopes longtime captain Darijo Srna refrains from joining interested party Barcelona - even if the Ukrainian outfit is powerless to stop him.

Fonseca confirmed Thursday the Catalan giant is considering a move for 34-year-old full-back Srna, though he's not necessarily happy about it.

Barcelona is short on options at the right-back position, with Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal the only senior players available. Roberto's play on the flank has often fueled criticism, and Vidal's future at the Camp Nou is also the subject of debate.

Hector Bellerin - who spent his formative years at the La Masia academy - emerged as a potential long-term solution for his former strip. But he dropped from the transfer radar after signing a new contract with Arsenal.

That dead end has apparently led Barcelona to Srna, who's played more than a decade for Shakhtar.

"I know of the interest," said Fonseca, according to ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden. "We know the importance of Srna to our team and we also know of his importance to the club.

"He's spent many years with us, though, and I sincerely hope he doesn't go."

Owner Rinat Akhmetov conceded the club wouldn't block Srna from accepting a move to a prestigious club like Barcelona - especially considering his contract expires in June 2017.

"If Darijo makes such a decision, I will be on his side," said Akhmetov in September, courtesy of ESPN FC. "He deserves that the club should treat him generously. He is a great person and a great captain who gave his all for Shakhtar. We'll make sure that we are proud of our decision. It will be as Darijo wishes."