Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Steven N'Zonzi and Cedric Soares

Barcelona are reportedly considering signing Sevilla defensive midfielder Steven N'Zonzi to provide cover for Sergio Busquets. The former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City ace is highly rated by Sevilla but is said to have caught the eye of Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez.

A report from Gabriel Sans of Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror) revealed how Fernandez and both Chelsea and Juventus are monitoring N'Zonzi's situation.

To be specific, the Frenchman's situation involves renegotiating a contract that includes a release clause worth €30 million. Yet N'Zonzi is keen for a new deal, per Malyon: "His contract expires in 2019, and he is looking for a wage that befits his performance level under Unai Emery and now Jorge Sampaoli."

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Malyon noted how N'Zonzi makes sense for Barca because he offers similar skills to those boasted by Busquets. The latter is viewed as unique in the Blaugrana squad by the reporter, as a defensively minded midfielder who is strong in the tackle and disciplined enough to protect the defence.

Barca's midfield ranks don't feature another like-minded destroyer. After all, the group is loaded with technically adept playmakers such as Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez.

When Busquets is not available, Barca lose the one player who gives them balance, according to Malyon: "With Busquets such an essential part of this team, though—the Jenga piece without whom it would all fall apart—there comes a problem with maintaining freshness and keeping a player at his best."

N'Zonzi fits the bill as a natural anchor at the base of midfield. He's an imposing physical presence, is dominant in the air and possesses underrated quality on the ball.

It's no wonder the 27-year-old is encouraging such widespread interest. He is also said to be a target for Premier League side Arsenal in the January transfer window, per TalkSport.

As for the player himself, N'Zonzi said he is keen to concentrate on his time with the Andalusian club during an interview with French publication L'Equipe (h/t FourFourTwo): "I focus on what I do at Sevilla. Until there is something concrete, we must remain professional."

N'Zonzi makes sense as a target for Barca because he'd add something different in midfield. However, he's become too important for Sevilla to let go easily, and he's also playing too well to settle for being anybody's back-up.

Southampton Right-Back a Barca Target

Barcelona reportedly want to offload Aleix Vidal in January and are considering a number of right-backs to replace him. Southampton's Cedric Soares is among those on the list.

The 25-year-old Portugal international was recommended to Barca by club scout Ariedo Braida, according to Albert Masnou and Lluis Miguelsanz of Spanish source Sport.

Scouts from the Camp Nou club even hoped to watch Soares in the Saints' recent UEFA Europa League match against Inter Milan, only for the defender to be left out, per another Daily Mirror report from Malyon.

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He made it clear how keen Barca manager Luis Enrique is to find a new right-back: "Luis Enrique has ordered sporting director Robert Fernandez to find him a new defender to replace outcast Aleix Vidal."

Ex-Sevilla man Vidal is also keen to leave after being left out of several matchday squads, according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t AS English).

Even without Vidal's issues, Enrique's squad appears vulnerable at the right side of defence. Things haven't been the same since Brazilian veteran Dani Alves departed for Italian giants Juventus in the summer.

Sergi Roberto has taken Alves' place, but the 24-year-old is a converted midfielder who lacks the temperament to defend. By contrast, Soares has both the engine and positional sense to cope with the demands of playing full-back in Enrique's fast-paced, possession-heavy game.

Barcelona remain one of the most talented teams in Europe. Yet there's no doubt the squad could use some key tinkering.

Addressing the shaky parts of a suspect defence would help. So would acquiring another midfielder who can do what Busquets can.