Barcelona Transfer News: Shkodran Mustafi Targeted, Latest Neymar Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly lining up a January move for Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi as manager Luis Enrique looks to strengthen his back line.

The 23-year-old German has impressed since moving to Los Che in 2014 and he could be a long-term fixture at Barcelona.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barca have been keeping an eye on Mustafi for some time and are ready to make a bid for him in the new year, although they have yet to officially make one.

The Camp Nou giants would reportedly look to offer between €20 million (£14.6 million) and €30 million (£21.9 million) for the former Everton man despite his release clause being €50 million (£36.6 million). 

Barca were remarkably successful in the most recent transfer window considering they are currently serving a transfer ban, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

Their ban lifts in January and German international Mustafi looks to be a good option for one of their early targets back in the transfer game.

The Barcelona defence has looked fairly solid at the start of the new season—although they did concede nine goals in three matches in the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups ahead of the La Liga start.

The back line is ageing, though, with the likes of Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Jeremy Mathieu all in their 30s.

Mustafi has proven himself to be more than capable in La Liga after just over a season with Valencia, and he is only going to improve with more experience.

Along with the likes of 23-year-old duo Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Neymar, Mustafi could form the core of an exciting-looking future Barca side.

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

The Catalan club are reportedly looking to tie Brazilian star Neymar to a new contract following recent rumours linking him with a potential switch to Manchester United, per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson.

According to Ed Malyon in the Mirror, Barca want to tie Neymar to the Camp Nou until 2020, and the forward is looking to double his salary to more than £200,000 per week after tax—which would make him the club's second-highest-paid player after Lionel Messi.

There are unlikely to be many difficulties during the negotiations. Neymar proved with a fantastic 2014-15 season that he is a huge asset to the club and Barca will be eager to ensure his long-term future lies in Catalonia.