8 Defenders Barcelona Could Target After Missing Out on Srna and Upamecano
Barcelona have been rumoured to be in the market for a defender this January, partly to shore up the squad in the short term and, in some cases, partly to invest in their future.
Two of the names that had been linked with the Catalan club were right-back Darijo Srna (per Marca) and central defender Dayot Upamecano (per Mundo Deportivo, in Spanish). However, the former told Ukranian station Football TV (via FourFourTwo) he will not be leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, and the latter has switched Red Bull Salzburg for RB Leipzig.
Barcelona won't be deterred from upgrading their squad, though, if defence is an area they feel they need further resources in, so we've scoured Europe for eight names that might fit the bill to bolster the entire back line, splitting them into four for the future—as Upamecano would have been—and four who could make an immediate impact, including in Srna's would-be role.
Davinson Sanchez, Ajax
1 of 8
A player who almost joined Barcelona in the summer and who hasn't done anything since then to suggest their interest was anything other than well-deserved: Davinson Sanchez, the starlet of Ajax's defence this season.
Sport have already reported that Barca are back on Sanchez's trail, and the elegant central defender has faith in his own ability to reach the top—which is why he turned down a spot in Barcelona's B team several months ago.
Jorge Mere, Sporting
2 of 8
The finest young national team prospect at centre-back in Spanish football at present, Jorge Mere continues to grow in stature and maturity at Sporting Gijon.
Tremendously comfortable with the ball at his feet, already assured in reading the game and more than willing to pass out of defence despite playing in a reasonably poor side, Mere looks made for Barcelona in the years to come.
He's still only 19, so he could be loaned out for a couple more seasons if need be, but in the long term, he's almost certainly the future of the Spanish national team and has all the traits to make it big at Barca.
Alex Grimaldo, Benfica
3 of 8
A couple of years ago, there was speculation among fans that Alex Grimaldo could be the next name to progress from B team to seniors, challenging Jordi Alba at left-back. Midway through 2015/16, however, it emerged that the youngster had "not had any contact" with manager Luis Enrique and, with his contract up at the end of that campaign, soon moved on to Benfica.
There, he has shown just why fans rated him at the Camp Nou in the first place, making a huge impact in the Primeira Liga and earning rumours of a big transfer to the likes of Manchester United for more than £50 million.
It's natural that his playing style fits Barca's given his footballing education, and he would hardly be the first player to return "home"—though maybe this move might only happen after a change in head coach, particularly as the left-back is out with an injury until the latter part of the season.
Theo Hernandez, Alaves/Atletico
4 of 8
We've mentioned him before and stand by the reasoning: Theo Hernandez would be a great fit at Barcelona.
The current Deportivo Alaves left-back is on loan from Atletico Madrid, potentially making the transfer a difficult one to accomplish, but Theo has already been linked with a move away; Manchester City want both him and brother Lucas, a centre-back, according to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News. Interestingly, they cite Barca as a potential rival for the duo.
Theo is aggressive defensively but accomplished on the ball, is tremendous in joining up with the attack and has proved more than capable in the final third.
Serge Aurier, PSG
5 of 8
On to the seniors. With Srna opting to remain in Ukraine, there's an obvious need to boost right-back—although Aleix Vidal might yet win over the doubters after prompting praise from Luis Enrique recently, per Marca.
The most natural fit for the role, the most likely available target and the age that suits entirely for both impact now and a long-term future would be Serge Aurier, Paris Saint-Germain's right-back whom L'Equipe (h/t Football Italia) linked with the Camp Nou outfit at the turn of the year.
A big investment, for sure, but a big reward in return for years to come.
Fabinho, Monaco
6 of 8
While Aurier has been linked, our next name hasn't: Fabinho, the star at AS Monaco who has finally made the long-awaited transition this season from right-back to holding midfield.
As such, he'd be a double option for Barcelona, perhaps even offering the tantalising tactical fluidity option of dovetailing with Sergi Roberto between right-and-centre of the pitch or even giving Luis Enrique the option to play his diamond 3-4-3 with more success than has managed so far.
Fabinho would require a monstrous outlay, such has been his success in Ligue 1, but his power, athleticism and physicality would give Barcelona something they occasionally lack while also bringing the required technical levels of ability that all players should have when signing on at the Camp Nou.
Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
7 of 8
If a mega financial outlay isn't on the cards, Barcelona have more than once attempted to bring in a somewhat fallen former great. Vincent Kompany fits that bill.
His ongoing injuries have devastated his time at Manchester City of late, and prising him away from the Etihad Stadium would require a balance between a risk of expenditure and convincing City, who have stood by him through his absences, that they should let him go.
Kompany directs the defence like few others, is a commanding presence aerially and is technically adept, but Barcelona have already gone down the "often-injured Belgian centre-back" route.
Javi Martinez, Bayern Munich
8 of 8
Finishing up, we have a senior star who would be a perfect replacement when Javier Mascherano finally departs the Camp Nou, perhaps even eclipsing the Argentinian in some respects.
Javi Martinez was initially a midfielder, like Mascherano, but since his final year at Athletic Club and throughout most of his time at Bayern Munich, he has operated as a central defender. Powerful, tall and excellent in possession, Martinez is a threat in the air and holds no fear of big tackles in his own half.
Perhaps age—he is 28—is against him given most of Barcelona's more recent signings, but Martinez has the technical ability and tactical insight to his game that would be of huge benefit to the Blaugrana.
If they want experience, immediate impact and an addition to their homegrown quota in the centre of defence instead of waiting for the likes of Davinson or Mere to develop fully, Martinez is their man.
