Barcelona Transfer News: Marco Reus Named on 5-Man Shortlist in Latest Rumours

Although Barcelona are banned from adding any new players to their squad for the start of the 2015/16 season, reports claim the Catalan giants are refining a list of potential stars that could join the club when their embargo on incoming transfers is lifted.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), which claims that Paul Pogba and Marco Reus head a five-man shortlist of targets for the Blaugrana, drawn up by international sporting director Ariedo Braida.

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In addition to those two stellar names, it’s also claimed the club are eyeing up Monaco full-back Fabinho, as well as either Villarreal’s Luciano Vietto or Palermo’s Paulo Dybala as a direct replacement for Pedro.

Pogba is a name that’ll grab the attention of most Barcelona supporters. The 22-year-old midfielder has blossomed into one of the game’s finest midfielders this season, combining power and poise with a real swagger.

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Bleacher Report’s Spanish football expert Guillem Balague took a look at how Barca’s ban could potentially hamper their pursuit of the Frenchman:

The Juventus star would be an excellent signing for Barcelona. In terms of stylistic principles, Pogba may not be the kind of player that you would typically associate with the intricate style the club is renowned for. But technically, the former Manchester United man is as good as anyone, and his physicality would add a refreshing edge to the heart of this Blaugrana side.

As noted by Squawka Football prior to his current injury, Pogba's long-range shooting would also add another string to Barcelona’s offensive bow:

However, with a clutch of clubs apparently interested, per Short’s piece, the Catalonians could be powerless to acquire the player this summer while other juggernauts of European football make their move. Indeed, according to Short, at this juncture, any deal set to take place between the two parties is “unlikely.”

Reus is another talent who would surely delight the Nou Camp crowd. The Borussia Dortmund man has long been linked with a move away from the Westfalenstadion, and according to the aforementioned piece, both Arsenal and Liverpool remain interested.

Here’s a look at the kind of quality he would add to this Barcelona team, should he join:

But at this juncture, a move seems very unlikely. While Dortmund will be without Champions League football next season, Reus signed a new long-term deal this year. With manager Jurgen Klopp set to leave at the end of the campaign and rumours rife regarding a lot of the club’s key players, you suspect the Westfalenstadion outfit will do everything in their power to keep the German.

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Other forward options are on Braida’s reported shortlist, however, and you suspect both Vietto and Dybala would be much easier to prise away from their current employers.

Here’s a look at how the two rising stars have fared in league matches throughout their breakthrough seasons:

	Vietto	Dybala
Apps (Sub)	15 (14)	32
Goals	12	13
Assists	2	10
Shots per Game	2.6	3.5
Key Passes per Game	0.8	1.7
Dribbles per Game	1	2.7

Of the two, Vietto is probably the better fit for Barca. Already, he’s shown with Villarreal that he can flourish in La Liga, plus, the intensity he’s showcased with the ball is befitting of a player capable of donning the iconic Blaugrana strip.

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As noted here by Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, the 21-year-old is also friendly with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi:

In addition, it seems as though Dybala is destined for Juventus. According to Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, the effervescent striker has been targeted by clubs in Italy and England, but sources close to the player have claimed that he’d prefer to stay in Serie A.

While Vietto would jump at the chance to join Barcelona, a move in January—when the club’s transfer ban is lifted—will surely hamper his development. He’s blossomed this season after getting regular minutes at Villarreal, but with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in situ, the youngster would have to make compromises on playing time to become a Blaugrana player.