Barcelona Transfer News: Ricardo Oliveira Offered, Mats Hummels Rumours Emerge

Anticipation is building at the Camp Nou as Barcelona prepare for a busy winter transfer window, with Santos striker Ricardo Oliveira and Borussia Dortmund stalwart Mats Hummels the latest names to hit the headlines.

According to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Brazil international Oliveira has been offered to the Blaugrana as an experienced asset the club supposedly desires at present (h/t Football Espana).

Andre Penner/Associated Press

The agent of former Valencia, Real Betis and Zaragoza striker Oliveira is Roberto de Assis Moreira, brother of former Blaugrana sensation Ronaldinho, who would help in sanctioning a smoother deal.

Luis Enrique's side are desperate for recruits after being unable to register any new players in 2015 due to the transfer embargo placed upon them in relation to the signing of underage players, per BBC Sport.

At the age of 35, Oliveira is hardly the most obvious candidate to join Enrique's cause in what makes for an odd story considering the journeyman is most likely reaching the end of his career.

The Football Espana report hinted that Barca's "economic situation" may prevent them from splurging on another world-class figure, but South American expert Tim Vickery has plenty of praise for Oliveira:

It certainly appears as though Barca are in the hunt for a more seasoned figure, too, after El Economista (h/t Sport) reported former forward David Villa was on their radar, along with Fenerbahce's Robin van Persie, per Goal's Stephen Creek.

It's worth pointing out Oliveira would be returning to Spain in the knowledge that he sits some way behind Luis Suarez and compatriot Neymar in the club's pecking order.

Pablo Sanhueza Gutierrez/Associated Press

And despite the temptation of joining that talented bunch, the veteran may not be eager to drop his playing time after scoring 20 goals in the 2014-15 Brasileiro Serie A, three of which have come in his last two appearances.

Dortmund's Hummels is another who might be difficult to lure away from his current setting given a six-year relationship with Borussia Dortmund, but his contract situation has put Barca on alert.

Spanish website Fichajes.com reported Hummels could be available at a cut-price fee unless he signs a new contract, with his current deal set to run out in the summer of 2017 (via Metro's George Bellshaw).

Barca's defence has been a major concern this season and Tuesday's 2-0 win over BATE Borisov in the Champions League was their first clean sheet in nine games. Before that meeting, Enrique refused the notion that improving the back four exclusively was a priority, per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

"

This is not a problem of the defence, but the whole team. We have not stopped analysing it, looking for solutions and we are on it. In this last game, which I have already watched back again, Rayo worried us more from their own good play than our mistakes.

We can concede 10 goals in a game and I would not change just for change's sake. We are aware that we need to improve -- not just the defence, but the whole team, starting with the coach. We are working to find a collective solution.

"

That being said, signing a defender of Hummels' standard would assuredly help their cause. Thomas Vermaelen is still enduring injury woes and Javier Mascherano has been moved into midfield to make up for injuries there.

That leaves Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra and Jeremy Mathieu as the current central options, but the squad could be found wanting once again if another injury were to disrupt their back line.

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It's mentioned in the report that Manchester United would likely pose competition to Barca, but after last season's European and domestic treble, Catalonia is likely to look the more appealing destination.

Hummels remains committed to the Black and Yellows' cause for now, but Dortmund will be nearing panic stations should he creep too far into the final 18 months of his contract with Barca allegedly interested.