Bayern Munich defender on Barcelona radar on Xavi’s wish

While we are still only a couple of days into the New Year, Barcelona are already chalking out plans for the summer transfer window.

A new centre-back is said to be among the players that Xavi Hernandez wants to sign before the next season kicks off. There have been speculations of interest in the likes of Manchester City mainstay Aymeric Laporte and Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt.

However, the financial situation at the club, coupled with Joan Laporta’s pursuit of a marquee striker could mean that the Catalans might not have the necessary situation to sign the aforementioned defenders.

So, Xavi & co. will again have to look at the free-agent market to bolster their defensive ranks. And El Nacional is now reporting that Bayern Munich’s imposing centre-half, Niklas Sule, has emerged as a transfer target for the Blaugrana at the behest of their manager.

The 26-year-old German international has entered the final six months of his contract at the Allianz Arena and is keen on a new challenge in his career. It has led to him rejecting the contract offers proposed by Die Roten thus far.

Alerted by the situation, Barça are now plotting to make a move for the former TSG Hoffenheim starlet when his contract runs out. Aged 26, Sule still has his best years in front of him, while he has already gained a lot of experience at the highest level, having spent close to five years in Bavaria.

Naturally, these aspects make him an enticing target for Xavi and Barcelona. The report states that the 41-year-old sees the towering defender as the ideal partner for Ronald Araujo at the back, with the club having monitored his development for years now.

However, the Catalans will have to battle rivals Real Madrid, as well as Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool for the centre-back’s signing. But Laporta hopes to beat the other suitors to the punch by promising Sule a key role in the project under Xavi.