Barcelona identify four possible midfield options

The recruitment team at Barcelona have identified a quartet of targets, amid their ongoing efforts to reinforce the club’s midfield ranks.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who have today provided an insight into ongoings behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital.

Sporting director Deco, it is understood, is keen to add a physical presence to the base of Barca’s engine room.

In a shift away from the long-time Blaugrana blueprint, a player capable of making his impact felt when out of possession, rather than a traditional ‘pivot’, is being sought.

Past Barca stars touted as possessing such a profile come in the form of Edgar Davids, and, more recently, Yaya Touré.

“Going more to the current era, it is considered that the profile sought could be assimilated to a player like the Madrid player Tchouaméni, a midfielder with very good defensive skills and the ability to also reach the opposition’s area,” MD add.

When it comes to potential profiles to fit this description, Deco and Co. are keeping a particularly close eye on four players.

Two come by way of the Premier League, in the form of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães, and Amadou Onana of Everton.

Also being keenly followed are AS Monaco’s French international Youssouf Fofana, as well as Atalanta standout Ederson dos Santos.

Should a proposal for any of these be sanctioned, it is unlikely to come to fruition until the summer, with Barcelona still largely strapped for cash.

Conor Laird | GSFN