FC Barcelona Transfer Rumours: February Wrap
For Barcelona, February has proved to be a month in which weaknesses have been exposed and the need for fresh faces made plain and clear.
Losses to AC Milan and Real Madrid have seen all hopes of a treble dissipate, with Barca crashing out of the Copa del Rey and left on the brink in the Champions League.
The Blaugrana have failed to flatter in the league as well, drawing with Valencia and coming from behind against both Granada and Sevilla.
Defensive problems persist; the Catalans have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 straight games.
Their forwards have also been drawing blanks, looking lost for answers against organised defences.
Even Lionel Messi has looked out of sorts. Hence the continued calls for attacking reinforcements.
Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo has reported that, after discussing the club's future with manager Tito Vilanova, the technical team has prioritised the signings of a goalkeeper, a centre-back and a forward.
A number of Barca players are also rumoured to be on the outs, presumably to make way for new signings and promoted players.
Let's take a closer look at what the media has been saying.
Keepers Shortlisted
1 of 5Barca have been closely monitoring the market for goalkeepers since Victor Valdes shockingly announced his decision to not continue with the club beyond 2014.
MARCA reports that the Catalans have shortlisted six names: Manchester United's David de Gea, young German Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Espanyol's Kiko Casilla, Valencia's Vicente Guaita and former Barca youth goalkeeper Jose "Pepe" Reina.
With Jose Pinto ageing at Barcelona, the league leaders could intend to have three keepers on their books next season. This would allow for a transition period during which Valdes could groom his heir.
While clubs like Arsenal circle for Valdes' signature, it remains the preference of most Cules that he plays out his contract until 2014.
No Deal with Ter Stegen, yet
Earlier in the month it was widely reported that personal terms had been agreed with highly rated Gladbach stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The rumoured four-year deal, however, was rubbished by both agent and club representatives as "utter nonsense."
City Join Juve in Alexis Pursuit
2 of 5Despite falling on tough times since his move to Spain, the Chilean continues to attract interest from Europe's biggest clubs.
Juventus are reportedly interested in the inside-forward, but Barca have slapped a sizable €18 million price-tag on their No. 9, prompting the Italians to consider a loan-to-buy option.
A move back to the Serie A, where he first caught the attention of Barca, could be the perfect place for the Chilean to reignite his stalled career.
The Italian champions play a familiar 3-5-2, like Udinese, in which Alexis Sanchez once shined.
Manchester City, however, have also entered the equation, as struggling manager Roberto Mancini eyes more attacking options.
Roma's Marquinhos to be Barcelona's Varane?
3 of 5Defensive Problems
Last summer Barcelona failed to add depth to their defence.
Alex Song has failed his test at centre-back, while Carles Puyol's age and condition continues to be a concern, most recently exposed by Angel Di Maria.
While young promotee Marc Bartra has impressed in his little time on the field, he evidently has not yet won the trust of his coaches.
Solutions
This week, the Catalan giants reportedly put in a €25 million bid (via Corriere dello Sport h/t Inside futbol) for Roma's talented Brazilian defender, Marquinhos.
The 18-year-old centre-back has already attracted the interest of Manchester City and Manchester United.
Speaking with El Mundo Deportivo, the player's representative, Giovanni Cavallo, explained that his client "meets all the requirements to play in a team like Barca." He went on to praise Marquinhos, saying that "he's a young player, quality, and strong personality."
Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels has also been earmarked as another option, priced at €30 million.
Solutions for Afellay and Bojan
4 of 5Premier League trio chase Ibrahim Afellay
Despite an impressive start to his loan at Schalke, Dutch winger Ibrahim Afellay has spent much of the season recovering from yet another injury.
According to Goal.com, his injury problems have led to a fallout with the German club's medical team.
It is unlikely either Schalke or Barcelona will count on the flying Dutchman next season.
Premier League giants Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham could fight for the injury-plagued winger's signature, while a host of other European clubs are also said to be interested.
Bojan to go for good
This week Milan president Silvio Berlusconi announced that his club value the former Barca starlet's presence and will work to make his stay permanent.
Bojan, who was initially sold to Roma, will currently return to Barcelona under an automatic buy-back clause for €14 million. The Blaugrana, however, would be keen to negotiate a reduced fee, seeing no room for the 22-year-old at the Camp Nou.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are monitoring the situation.
Happy to Wait on Neymar
5 of 5The most tedious transfer saga in world football continues.
Vice-president Josep Bartomeu has confirmed that the Blaugrana want the talented Brazilian at the Camp Nou but await the player's signal: "Neymar has to step up first and say that he's ready to leave Santos. When that happens, Barca will be ready to try and sign him, because the technical staff want him."
Barcelona's Brazilians Dani Alves and Adriano have both backed the signing, with Alves admitting that he has been attempting to lure the young attacker to his team "for ages".
Competition
The Catalans, however, are not alone in wanting the Brazilian international, and reports of any agreement with Barca continue to be denied.
Both Manchester City and the new Bayern Munich project headed by Pep Guardiola are said to be keen on Neymar's services.
With three positions prioritised for the coming summer, who should Barca pursue in the transfer market? Who should make way at the Camp Nou?
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