Barcelona have shortlisted three defenders for potential January signings as Hansi Flick pushes to urgently reinforce the backline.
With Andreas Christensen’s prolonged absence unlocking a 20-day salary carve-out and Eric Garcia moonlighting in midfield, the Blaugrana crave low-cost lifelines—right-footed anchors doubling on the left flank, a lefty outlier, and profiles blending elite pedigree with expiring contracts that tempt sellers before summer freebies.
No blockbuster pursuits here; post-Flick huddles prioritize opportunistic strikes fitting financial fair play vise-grips, sidestepping Premier League premiums for Iberian and Serie A savvy that ignites instant competition alongside Pau Cubarsí and a returning Ronald Araujo.
As the window ticks, Deco eyes further culls from this surprise trio, wagering shrewdness against La Liga’s gauntlet and Champions League sirens beckoning deeper runs.
Those 3 defenders shortlisted by Barcelona for January are Benfica captain Nicolas Otamendi, Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, as reported by Mundo Deportivo’s scoop on Flick-vetted bargains.
Otamendi, locked to Benfica until 2026, leads with armband and minutes but resists via powerhouse agent Jorge Mendes despite right-footed left-side chops.
De Vrij, 33, delivers Serie A steel minus starring Inter role this term, mirroring Otamendi’s flexibility for Flick’s schemes.
Senesi, the 28-year-old left-footer, draws Amaral’s sustained watch, his looming free agency pressuring Bournemouth for January cash before expiry hits.
New scout Joao Amaral’s intel sharpens the lens on players whose tactical nous fuels high-line presses without adaptation pitfalls, as La Masia tweaks and Gavi’s February boost offer internal padding but can’t mask the void.
Barcelona shuns extravagance for these fits, blending experience with economics amid Christensen’s void.
Shortlist refinement looms, pitting them against flashier fancies as Deco balances crisis with calculus for trophy hunts.
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