Barcelona switch priority for the winter window, target set at defensive reinforcements

Barcelona are inching closer to completing the signing of Ferran Torres from Manchester City. With a deal believed to be wrapped up, all that remains is an official announcement to be made by the clubs.

Heading into the January transfer window, signing a new forward was a top priority for manager Xavi Hernandez. Reports had indicated that the Barcelona boss would target a winger as well as a centre-forward, which was understandable given the injury issues that the team had to face in the first half of the campaign.

However, now that Torres has almost arrived, Mundo Deportivo claims that Barça will not be signing a new striker in the winter anymore.

Ferran Torres is capable of playing through the middle, and Xavi plans to utilise him in a central role, flanked by Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele. In addition to that, Barcelona will soon be able to call upon Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite as they get closer to returning from injury.

That, coupled with the emergence of Ez Abde and Ferran Jutgla, has led to the belief that there are enough options in the attacking third, due to which Barça will not pursue a new centre-forward in January, effectively ending their pursuit of Manchester United star Edinson Cavani.

Instead, the focus will now shift towards bolstering their defensive line, as per the report. Dani Alves has already arrived at Camp Nou to help add depth at right-back amid question marks over the future of Sergino Dest.

However, there are uncertainties over the future of Oscar Mingueza, who has struggled to get into the side of late, while the Blaugrana are also desperate to get Samuel Umtiti off the books. And, with there being no proper cover in the left-back slot for Jordi Alba, that is also something that the club might look to address.

As a result, the report points towards the signing of Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta. The Blues’ skipper can play anywhere across the backline, is in the final six months of his contract and could be available on the cheap.

The Spanish international would add a lot of value to the squad with his experience, leadership and versatility. Only time will tell if a move materialises, however.