Barcelona boss Xavi prepares three-man shortlist to reinforce midfield in January – report

With Gavi out for the rest of the season, Barcelona are considering bringing in a new midfielder and according to journalist Gerard Romero, the team from Catalonia has shortlisted three players, namely Dani Parejo, Thiago Alcantara, and Guido Rodriguez.

Gavi sustained an ACL tear during his recent outing for the Spanish national team, which compromised Barcelona’s January transfer plans. 

As such, the team was only focused on bringing Vitor Roque in winter, but the midfielder’s unavailability for the rest of the season is now forcing Barcelona to reconsider their decision.

What’s the shortlist?

Even though the Blaugrana believe that they can deal with Gavi’s absence using the options in the squad, Xavi would prefer adding another midfielder, potentially in the pivot position.

According to Romero, Villarreal’s 34-year-old midfielder Dani Parejo is being considered and the names of Thiago and Guido have already been linked with the team.

As reported before, Thiago’s contract with Liverpool is set to conclude in the summer of 2024, making him a potentially cost-effective option for Barcelona in the upcoming January transfer window.

For what it is worth, Liverpool are also open to the possibility of Thiago departing during the winter transfer market.

As for Guido, he was linked with Barcelona over the summer, but the move failed to materialize. However, given the situation at hand, the Blaugrana seem to have rejuvenated their interest in the Real Betis midfielder and his case is similar to Thiago.

The 29-year-old’s contract with Betis ends in the summer of 2024 and so far, no advancements have been made over the same as the player looks keen on an exit. This is where Barcelona can try their luck with either a loan deal or a permanent transfer at a low cost.

As for Parejo, he is a player that Barça and Xavi have admired for a while and he, too, is on an expiring contract at Villarreal, making him a financially viable option for the reigning La Liga champions.

Thiago can operate as an interior or a pivot, while Rodriguez and Parejo would be more suited to the No. 6 position, where Oriol Romeu has struggled recently. Only time will tell if Xavi & co. do bring in a new midfielder come January.