A new midfielder is a top transfer priority in the January window, Barcelona sporting director Deco has asserted.
The LaLiga giants have lost Spain international Gavi to a long-term knee injury and have been linked with Tottenham player Giovani Lo Celso as a replacement.
It is understood that Spurs will rebuff any bid to sign Lo Celso, who is required amid Tottenham's own injury issues despite the 27-year-old playing only four times so far this season.
Deco has insisted that Barcelona's ailing finances will dominate their upcoming transfer window, which will include Brazilian teenage sensation Vitor Roque's arrival. However, it is not guaranteed that the Catalans can afford to register his wages.
"With Gavi's injury, a new scenario arises and we are going to evaluate it based on what we can do," he told Spanish outlet AS.
"We are seeing at an economic level what we can do. In January, the best players are playing for their teams and I don't see it as easy to sign an important player who can give us what we want in the winter market.
"We are evaluating what has happened to us, we are looking at what we have and we will make a decision.
"Firstly, finding a full replacement for Gavi is impossible. Secondly, signing another player will depend on what suits us best.
"Whether it is one or two [signings, including Roque] will depend on our economic margin."
Along with Lo Celso, Barcelona, who are sat third in LaLiga ahead of the international break ending, have been linked with moves for Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, West Ham's Pablo Fornals and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure.
