5 Barcelona Transfer Rumours Fans Wish Would Come True

Barcelona may still be under a FIFA-imposed transfer embargo, but that won't stop the club exploring every legal route open to them to see if there are any loopholes in the system they can exploit.

In any event, there aren't too many players who could come in and improve the current side, but when big names do become available, Barca still need to be seen to be at the front of the queue.

Let's take a look at five transfer rumours Barca fans wish would come true.

Mateo Kovacic

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Inter Milan's Mateo Kovacic is very highly regarded.

Just 20 years of age, Mateo Kovacic has a number of admirers around Europe.

The Inter Milan midfielder looks set to be surplus to requirements at the San Siro at the end of the season, and there'll be no shortage of takers.

A dynamic, robust  and energetic presence, his game has come on leaps and bounds whilst in Italy. Now honing his craft as a regista, Kovacic has the skill set to be able to play in any of the midfield roles with aplomb.

According to Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express), the player appears to have set his sights on a move to either Barcelona or Liverpool.

The Catalans may hold the edge despite the ban. One of Kovacic's former Dinamo Zagreb team-mates is none other than Barcelona B starlet Alen Halilovic.

Paul Pogba

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Paul Pogba is a fearsome opponent in the middle of the park.

Juventus' Paul Pogba is one of European football's most coveted players.

One of the most complete midfielders of his generation, there is barely a weakness to the youngster's game.

But such talent costs money. A lot of money.

Barca's interest has been widely reported in the media over the last few weeks, and according to Renato Goncalves of Barca Blaugranes, the Catalans have now had two substantial offers rejected.

Sporting director Ariedo Braida allegedly believes a third and final offer totalling some €120 million, which would include cash and players, will be enough to get the Italian champions to part with their star man.

Pogba's natural game will bring an entirely different dynamic to Barca's midfield and more directness would be almost guaranteed. 

It would be the signing of the summer if it happens, even though the player would need to be loaned back to Juve until at least January.

Marco Reus

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Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus has a fondness for Barcelona.

Marco Reus is a winger by trade but with an adaptable skill set that could see him playing off of a main striker or as a central attacking midfielder with equal success.

His transfer will be difficult, given he has just signed a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, but it would not impossible.

Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express even suggests that the signing of the new deal at Signal Iduna Park may have been concocted by Dortmund and Barca to take the player off of the transfer market until January 2016.

Whether such a suggestion is merely fanciful, the Catalans will jostle for position if the player does become available at any point.

Marco Verratti

Associated Press

Marco Verratti impressed Barca's fanbase with his performances for PSG.

Marco Verratti has become one of the most important players at Paris Saint-Germain thanks to his superb brand of effective and simple attacking football.

There's nothing fancy about the fiery little Italian—just good honest graft, something which any supporter of any club can identify with.

In the two Champions League group-stage games against Barca, Verratti was one of PSG's best players, and Braida knows the player from his days in Italy.

Equally comfortable in defensive midfield or slightly further forward, Sport notes that Barca's sporting director is convinced that the player will leave the French club this summer and will be available at around the €30 million mark.

Luciano Vietto

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Luciano Vietto would be a suitable replacement for Pedro Rodriguez if he left.

Villarreal have gone off of the boil in the last few weeks.

One of their success stories of the season has been Luciano Vietto, a player who came to Barca's attention with a superb individual performance against the Catalans earlier in the season.

If Pedro Rodriguez is to leave Barca at the end of the campaign, Vietto fits the bill as his direct replacement.

And per Ole (via Dermot Corrigan of ESPN), the player would love the chance to link up with Lionel Messi et al.:

"

Everyone dreams of playing alongside Messi. Of course it would be a dream come true.

...

I use all these rumours as motivation, to keep strengthening myself and improving.

I have no doubts that if I keep doing well, all will arrive in its own time.

"

Quite whether he would accept a bit-part role upon signing is a moot point at this stage.