Barcelona Transfer Speculation: 3 Players the European Champions May Aim to Sign

While manager Pep Guardiola insists there will be no new arrivals come the January transfer window, the shortfalls are in plain view for all to see in this Barcelona squad and the manager would do well to make some much-needed signings in key areas before the second half of the season.

The club may have a wealth of attacking options, each capable of going into double figures for goals and assists, but Barca are desperately short in numbers at the back and have had to rely on midfield players to fill the gaps.

Despite officials at Barca claiming no money will be spent in January, these are the three that could significantly improve the reigning European champions.

David Luiz

David Luiz has found himself on the Chelsea bench for the handful of opening games this season, and it appears the Brazilian centre back is not in the foreground of manager Andre Villas-Boas’ plans—at least for the moment.

Luiz did make an appearance for Chelsea midweek in their Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen, and the defender managed to grab himself a coolly taken goal from a Fernando Torres assist.

It remains to be seen how David Luiz will feature for Chelsea over the course of the season, but there is a gaping hole in the Barcelona defence that is crying out for a player in the mould of the Brazilian.

With Carles Puyol reaching the twilight of his career and nagging injuries affecting Gerard Pique’s game, Luiz would provide solidity at the back as well as a goal-scoring touch going forward.

Michel Bastos

Towards the end of the summer transfer window it seemed inevitable that Michel Bastos would be on his way out of Lyon and into Serie A. The attack-minded full back, however, did stay on at the French side and has continued to play a part for the seven-time French champions.

The left-back spot for Barcelona has continued to be a problem despite having three capable players in Eric Abidal, Adriano and Maxwell. With injury and lack of confidence from Pep Guardiola, the position has been crying out for a player very much in the mould of Michel Bastos.

A player who would perform almost identically to right-back Dani Alves, Bastos would fit in perfectly with the Barca brand of football with his marauding forward runs and ability in front of goal.

Luis Suarez

While still a fairly new arrival to Liverpool since his move from Ajax last January, Luis Suarez has been catching the eye of Pep Guardiola.

The Uruguayan forward would add to an already lethal forward line in Barcelona and would be a valuable addition to a squad determined to see off rivals domestically and in European competition.

A move for Suarez as early as January may be unlikely, but you can’t hide from the fact that Guardiola sees the player as an exceptional talent who could improve and compliment the likes of Lionel Messi and David Villa.