Barcelona want a new left-back - who is on their shortlist?
Martin Macdonald
- 28 Jan 2022 10:48 GMT
- 4 min read
Barcelona are still looking to do business before the end of the transfer window, and one of the club's priorities remains the acquisition of a new left-back.
Despite their clear financial problems, the Blaugrana have already signed Ferran Torres from Manchester City for €65 million.
They were able to afford that deal due to the low up front payment, while Philippe Coutinho's loan move to Aston Villa and the restructuring of Samuel Umtiti's salary gave them some wiggle room.
Barca continue to be linked with a host of forward players including Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang and Mauro Icardi.
They want a centre-forward, but a new left-back is also desired to provide competition and support for Jordi Alba.
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Here is three left-backs they are targeting in January.
Alex Grimaldo (Benfica)
Barca are on the cusp of bringing a La Masia graduate back to the club in the form of the aforementioned Traore.
And, Xavi good look to another to solve his left-back issues as Benfica's Alex Grimaldo is being targeted.
Grimaldo was part of La Masia before moving to Benfica and Barca have actually attempted to bring him back before, only to move away from negotiations after the Portuguese side asked for €30m.
However, the Spaniard now has just 18 months left on his current contract, so could be available for lower.
Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)
Nicolas Tagliafico is reportedly desperate to join Barcelona and has Ajax to allow him to do so, though the Dutch giants are against letting him leave on loan in the middle of the campaign.
Barcelona need to wait and see if Ousmane Dembele leaves before they can determine how much can actually be spent on the Argentine left-back in terms of transfer fee and wages.
Nicolás Tagliafico has no doubts: he only wants to join Barcelona as revealed yesterday. He hopes Ajax will let him go in front of this chance. 🇦🇷 #FCB
Ajax are still not accepting loan move. But Tagliafico will push again: he only wants Barça.
📲 More: https://t.co/nkHUMBiXVJ— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2022
The Catalan side have attempted to sweeten this deal by offering young left-back Alejandro Balde on loan until the end of the current season.
But, Balde is not keen on the switch which has complicated things further.
Alex Telles (Manchester United)
Signing Alex Telles would probably have been a lot more simple for Barcelona before the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as Manchester United manager.
Under the German, Telles has seen a lot more game time at Old Trafford and for the first time since his arrival from Porto, has emerged as genuine competition for Luke Shaw.
It is unlikely that Man Utd will let Telles leave in the middle of the season unless a significant offer comes in.
Barcelona are not in a position to make any significant offers as they would likely attempt to sign Telles on loan with an option to buy, which won't interest United.
