Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours Surrounding Barca's January Plans

Barcelona chief Robert Fernandez has reportedly been tasked with signing a central midfielder and a forward in January.

That's according to AS, via Football Espana, who note that, as sporting director, Fernandez has been the one charged with replacing those who left this summer when Barca are free to register players once again.

The Blaugrana allowed the likes of Pedro, Adama Traore and the talismanic Xavi Hernandez to depart this summer, as well as loaning out Alen Halilovic and Alex Song.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez cautions the club against abandoning their ethos of making full use of their academy products in favour of transfer activity:

Nevertheless, the club have shown in this window that is exactly what they appear to be doing, as they allowed so many to leave despite the knowledge that new recruits Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal won't be eligible to play until the new year.

A possible target could be Celta Vigo forward Nolito.

The 28-year-old was repeatedly linked with a switch to the Camp Nou over the summer and even admitted he would happily join the club even if he would struggle for regular first-team football. Per Goal.com, he told Radio Marca:

"

Playing there [regularly at Barca] would be difficult, but even if you play less, playing for Barcelona gives you lots of things.

Celta is my home, but if I go to Barca, it'll be because I think it's best.

If it were about money, I wouldn't be here anymore. I've had offers to earn more, but Barca are the champions of La Liga and the Champions League.

"

The Spaniard has kicked off the new season in style, notching two goals and an assist in Celta's opening two games, and showed his qualities last year scoring 13 times and assisting 14.

With the player willing to accept a role as cover for Barca's indomitable front three and having previous experience of the club thanks to more than 100 appearances for Barcelona B, Nolito would be an obvious choice to bring in as a squad player.

As for midfield, the club were one of several European giants linked with Juventus star Paul Pogba over the summer.

Riccardo De Luca/Associated Press

The Frenchman ultimately stayed in Turin, but it seems highly likely he'll be moving to an even wealthier and more elite club in the near future.

The 22-year-old is one of the most sought-after youngsters in world football and, though not exactly of the same mould, possesses the talent required to make him a long-term successor to Xavi at the Camp Nou.

However, it's exceptionally rare for a player of Pogba's calibre to move in a winter transfer window as clubs are even more desperate to keep hold of their key stars.

Further, the midfielder would be cup-tied in the Champions League, preventing him from helping Barca at the business end of the tournament.

The Catalan giants are arguably the most likely destination for the Frenchman thanks to their prestige, wealth and ready-made space for him in midfield, but he won't be the one they land in January.