An urgent deal at Barcelona: a Brazilian defender knocking on the Camp Nou's doors
Who is he?
Hansi Flick has opened the door to signing a centre-back in the January window. The Barcelona manager confirmed that the club's board are weighing up ways to strengthen the backline, with injuries thinning his options and the defensive performances in need of a lift.
Speaking at the press conference before the Alaves match, Flick said the club are constantly discussing how to develop the squad. He had raised the issue with Deco, Bojan and members of his coaching staff, adding: "We always talk about what is best for the team and how we can improve. We are working on it, and we have spoken with Deco, Bojan and my coaching staff. If it is possible, we will do it."
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo report that four defenders feature on Barcelona's list: Croatia's Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City, Italy's Alessandro Bastoni at Inter Milan, Argentina's Lisandro Martinez, and Brazil's Natan of Real Betis.
Gvardiol looks a complicated proposition. He is tied to Manchester City until 2031, while Bastoni does not enjoy Flick's full backing despite Deco's interest in bringing him in.
Lisandro Martinez and Natan, on the other hand, may prove easier options in theory.
The interest in Natan rests on his familiarity with Spanish football, the levels he is producing at Real Betis and the chance to sign him at a reasonable cost. Gvardiol, meanwhile, stands out among the names the club are tracking despite the difficulty of getting any deal done.
Other names feature in Barcelona's longer-term planning. Among them are Stuttgart's Finn Jeltsch and Leipzig defender Lukeba Castello, part of the club's monitoring of young talents who could reinforce the backline in the years ahead.
Any deal still hinges on how well it fits Flick's project and Barcelona's finances. The cost of a signing, plus the need to raise funds through a sale, with Alejandro Balde among the candidates, could prove decisive in shaping the club's stance this winter.
Flick's position marks a shift from last summer. Back then he preferred to keep his squad together and focus on the attack. Now, with the winter window closing in, reinforcing the defence has become a serious option.
