Barcelona will be busy on January transfer deadline day, with several deals being juggled by the Spanish giants.
Xavi’s side are five points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga thanks to a fantastic run of form. But Barcelona are not content with their current status and remain determined to bring in reinforcements before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline after keeping their powder dry throughout the rest of the month.
Much of the movement comes in the right-back position, where Barca are trying to line-up a replacement for the outgoing Hector Bellerin. The former Arsenal defender is expected to join Sporting Lisbon on loan, where he will replace Pedro Porro, who after initial setbacks is now poised to become a Tottenham player.
Sporting had looked at Brighton star Tariq Lamptey, but Bellerin’s lack of game time at Barca made him a more viable option. Bellerin has made just seven appearances in all competitions for Xavi’s side this season, but they still want to replace him.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are keen on signing Flamengo right-back Wesley Franca. The two clubs remain locked in negotiations, with the Brazilian side currently unwilling to sanction a one-year loan deal with a non-mandatory option to buy.
Franca isn’t the only right-back Barca have their eye on though. Relevo says the club are also negotiating with Los Angeles Galaxy over a potential loan-to-buy deal for Julian Araujo. If he were to join, the 21-year-old Mexican would go into Barca’s B team, before working his way up.
Right-back isn’t their only concern though. Xavi also wants a central midfielder and he could get his wish with a deadline day move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat on the cards. Foot Mercato and Marca both say that Barca are pushing hard to land the midfielder, who starred for Morocco at the World Cup.
Amrabat was previously linked with Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, but could now move to Barcelona. The Catalan club are trying to sign the 26-year-old, who is under contract with Fiorentina until June 2024, on loan until the end of the season, with an obligation to buy clause included.
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The move comes after they were unable to register new contracts for Gavi and Ronald Araujo due to financial constraints. They could loan Amrabat, however, because the departures of Memphis Depay and Gerard Pique have freed up some funds.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are also looking forward to the summer when they will undergo a squad overhaul and hopefully ease their financial concerns. A long-term transfer target is Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, according to Mundo Deportivo.
SPORT also says that the Blaugrana continue to hold an interest in Joao Felix, who is currently on loan at Chelsea from Atletico Madrid, and they are keeping tabs on Ajax and Ghana attacker Mohammed Kudus.
