Barcelona identify unsettled Tottenham midfielder as a top priority

With the January transfer window not very far, plans are being chalked up by Barcelona to bolster their squad as they look to get their campaign back on track after a dodgy start.

There will be a big change at the top for the Catalans with Ronald Koeman gone and seemingly set to be replaced by club legend Xavi. The change in managers could also usher in a shuffling up of the roster, with the incoming boss likely to be intent on building a team in his own image.

And, widespread reports seem to indicate that midfield is an area where Barcelona could look to strengthen. It does come as a bit of a surprise considering the riches in the centre of the park that the Blaugrana already possess in the form of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Nico Gonzalez and Sergio Busquets.

Nonetheless, a new midfielder, of a physical, box-to-box profile in the mould similar to summer transfer target Georginio Wijnaldum is being sought by Barca. And as per SPORT, Tottenham Hotspur’s unsettled superstar Tanguy Ndombele has emerged as a top candidate for the Catalan giants.

The Frenchman has been on Barca’s radar ever since he burst onto the scenes at French club Olympique Lyon, but they were beaten to his signing by Spurs in 2019, with the north London club shelling out €60million for his services.

However, the move has been a colossal failure as Ndombele has struggled to establish himself under each of the three managers he has played at the club – Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo. With Antonio Conte now taking over the reins at the club, the Italian wants to sign Franck Kessie from AC Milan.

This would render Ndombele further out of favour. With the powerful midfielder already frustrated and unsettled at the club, Spurs may be willing to allow him to leave – a situation that Barcelona are looking to exploit.

However, given that they are financially struggling, the Blaugrana would only be considering signing the ex-Lyon star on a loan deal until the end of the season before reassessing their options.

Other targets on the club’s radar include Denis Zakaria, Boubacar Kamara and the aforementioned Kessie as well. For now, though, Ndombele is at the top of the list. However, it remains to be seen if the signing of the Tottenham man is approved by Xavi once he takes over.