Report: Barcelona list two players to sign in January with €16 million budget

Barcelona pursued the signing of Memphis Depay, Emerson Royal, Yusuf Demir, Sergio Aguero, and Eric Garcia in the summer transfer window for a total that fell short of €30 million. However, they had to let go of some key players, including Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.

From a sporting perspective, it made very little sense, but it gave the club some financial room to manoeuvre. Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have €16 million to splash in the January transfer window, with Raheem Sterling and Dani Olmo on top of their priority list.

Barça are clearly in the market for a versatile forward given their depleted attacking options. As Ousmane Dembele recovers from his long-term injury, Ansu Fati and Memphis Depay are the only reliable wide options available for Ronald Koeman.

READ: Three strikers Barcelona can pursue on a loan during the January transfer window

Sterling can play across the front-line and boasts of brilliant off-the-ball movement and a knack for scoring goals even when out of form. The Englishman has come off a brilliant European Championship with England but has not been able to make a place for himself in Pep Guardiola’s team ahead of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.

That being said, it would be a daunting task for the administration to woo Sterling from Premier League favourites Manchester City. Unless the Manchester outfit sign a striker in the winter, it seems next to impossible that Guardiola would allow him to leave.

Olmo, on the other hand, would be a relatively easier operation. With his contract with RB Leipzig expiring in 2023, Barcelona could get the Spaniard at a discounted price in the summer or on a loan deal in the winter.

He is incredibly versatile and has played five positions for the German club since joining, including central midfield. However, it is almost obvious that he would be deployed on the right-wing for Barcelona, given the left is occupied by Ansu Fati and Memphis Depay.

It goes unsaid that with a mere €16 million in their pockets, Barça can only chase loan deals. Sterling is on a heavy salary, and Olmo is almost too crucial for Leipzig for them to let him go this easily. It is entirely possible that the club will have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.