Barcelona are planning to sign a left-footed centre-back in January. TEAMtalk says Frenkie de Jong was fielded at centre-half amid injuries to Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Xavi Espart, all of whom can play centrally.
The Athletic's named targets
The Athletic named Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni and Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol among Barcelona's targets. The Athletic also mentioned Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez as a Barcelona target.
Other targets
Sports Illustrated named Arsenal's Piero Hincapie, Ajax's Youri Baas and RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba among Barcelona's targets. According to Sport, Barcelona would be interested in Lisandro Martinez if the move does not require them to spend big.
Sports Illustrated stated that there was mutual interest between Lisandro Martinez and Atletico Madrid this summer, giving Barcelona competition if they decide to explore a move.
Defensive personnel changes
TEAMtalk said Barcelona loaned Ronald Araujo to Liverpool over the summer, and Liverpool might sign him outright in January. Lisandro Martinez is in the final year of his contract at Manchester United and wants out.
Arsenal's stance on Hincapie
Speaking when discussing a rumoured swap deal involving Hincapie and Alejandro Balde, Fabrizio Romano said: "Then when it’s about Piero Hincapie and the swap deal between Arsenal and Barcelona, I don’t see this happening for one reason – Arsenal have no intention to sell Hincapie. Arsenal have no intention to change anything in their back four for the January transfer window. They are super happy with the players they have. I think the conversation should be on one of the best defences in the recent history of the game because Arsenal are really incredible with their way of defending, and so Hincapie can play as a centre-back and as a left-back. He’s a very important player for Mikel Arteta and so I don’t see this one happening."
