Barcelona Transfer News: Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Breel Embolo, Top Rumours

Despite Barcelona's growing financial concerns, the treble winners will target a host of burgeoning talent in January, including Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Breel Embolo.

Albert Roge of Sport reported manager Luis Enrique will consider all three starlets as the Blaugrana look towards the next generation of world-class players.

Roge said the Camp Nou club are "working on the ideas" of signing Laporte and Stones as they search for reinforcements in defence and have also been observing teenage talent Embolo, who has been prolific for Basel. 

Barca are well stocked in the forward positions, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in the starting XI, but are short of depth after the departure of Pedro to Chelsea.

Armando Franca/Associated Press

Roge also claims Enrique is keeping an eye on Jamie Vardy of Leicester City, who has been the goalscoring star of the Premier League this term.

Embolo has also triggered the interest of Arsenal, and the north London club have been in the ballpark for a striker since last summer. The 18-year-old has hit 26 goals and provided 18 assists for his club in only 71 appearances, proving himself to be one of Europe's most promising talents, per Roge.

Calciomercato (h/t Will Giles of Metro) claimed the striker will cost in the region of £21 million, as the Gunners decide whether to place a bid for the Barca target. 

Laporte would be a popular signing at the Camp Nou and is known throughout Spain for his classy displays for Athletic Bilbao. 

According to the Mirror's John Cross, Barca "believe they will get" their target in the next summer transfer window for £35 million, as Manchester United also show interest. 

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez tipped the defender to join Barcelona in future, commenting on the Athletic Club man and including Stones for praise:

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Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness) said the La Liga holders have added themselves to Stones' long list of potential suitors, and when the England international comes onto the transfer market, a bidding war looks very likely. 

The Liverpool Echo's Tony Scott believes Stones has the talent to become a world-class entity:

All three youngsters would be phenomenal captures for the Blaugrana, but none of them will come at a bargain price.

In the case of Laporte and Stones, they will be able to take their pick of a number of clubs in the following transfer windows, and both could develop into two of the world's premier centre-backs.

They both possess the footwork to enable them to play the modern game, while also reading the match with acute precision.

Barca are at the top of the tree at present, but they know they cannot stand still when it comes to transfers. Their transfer embargo is over in January, as noted by Roge, and they will be expected to strengthen what is already a magnificent squad.