Barcelona are pressing ahead with their hunt for a centre-back in January. GOAL reported that Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie is under consideration and that GOAL reported Deco has made initial contact.
Hincapie rises on Barcelona shortlist
GOAL reported that the 24-year-old Ecuadorian defender has climbed Barcelona's shortlist. GOAL also reported that glowing reports on Hincapie have reached both Deco and Flick.
Initial approach remains exploratory
GOAL reported that Deco has made initial contact with Hincapie's representatives to gauge his appetite for a move and test whether a deal can be done in the winter window. GOAL reported that Barcelona's move for Hincapie remains exploratory.
Sport's account of his Arsenal role
According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Hincapie was signed from Bayer Leverkusen. According to Catalan newspaper Sport, physical problems and fierce competition in Arsenal's backline have shrunk Hincapie's role under Mikel Arteta. Sport also reported that he is finding continuity hard to come by and currently sits outside the Spanish manager's preferred options.
Another defender on the radar
Sky reported that Barcelona have also enquired about Alessandro Bastoni, the Inter Milan defender.

