Five players who could join Barcelona before January window closes
Martin Macdonald
- 26 Jan 2022 12:09 GMT
- 4 min read
Barcelona have already completed the biggest deal of the January transfer window so far, signing Ferran Torres from Manchester City for €65 million.
The Blaugrana are in mountains of debt and are struggling financially, but still managed to pull off that deal by offering a low amount up front to the Premier League giants.
They were able to eventually secure Torres' registration after Philippe Coutinho left for Aston Villa on loan and Samuel Umtiti agreed to a restructuring of his contract, thus freeing up some funds.
Xavi's squad remains thin, though, particularly in attacking areas, and with Ousmane Dembele poised to leave in January, more recruits are desired.
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Here are five players who could move to Camp Nou in January, with a new centre-forward the primary concern.
Franck Kessie (Milan)
According to reports from Italy this week, Barcelona have verbally agreed to sign Franck Kessie as a free agent in the summer.
The Milan midfielder currently has a contract that expires in June of 2022 and is wanted by a host of elite European sides.
Sport Italia detail that no contract has been signed, but the deal will likely happen soon.
However, it isn't outwith the realms of possibility that Barcelona and Milan could strike a deal that would see Kessie leave in January for a nominal fee, as the player hasn't been involved for the Rossoneri as much after refusing to sign a new contract.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with Barca for a while now.
At least, he was the Arsenal captain up until very recently when he was stripped of the title after ongoing disciplinary issues.
Mikel Arteta has subsequently left him out of matchday squads completely and he is widely expected to be moved on in January.
A move to Barcelona could work, but one stumbling block may be that Aubameyang promised his grandfather before he died that he would one day play for Real Madrid.
The Gabon international also had to return early from the Africa Cup of Nations due to a diagnosis of heart lesions, so Barca would be very wary of taking on another the player due to what happened with Sergio Aguero.
Alvaro Morata (Juventus - on loan from Atletico)
For the centre-forward position, Barcelona have reportedly identified Alvaro Morata as their number one target for January.
Xavi is a big fan of the player and believes he could be quickly integrated into the squad at Camp Nou due to his relationship with a number of Barca players who also feature for the Spanish national side.
Barca are hoping to convince Juventus to terminate Morata's loan and then convince Atletico to allow him to move to a domestic rival.
It would be an initial 18-month loan before a potential permanent deal, and Morata's future could be linked to that of Antoine Griezmann, who is currently on loan at Atletico from Barca.
Mauro Icardi (PSG)
Barcelona's desperate search for a new centre-forward has seen them turn their attentions to Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi.
This could be a deal that works out for everyone.
Icardi needs to reignite his career as he has dropped down the pecking order at PSG after the arrival of Lionel Messi.
There is some baggage with this one, though, as Icardi is a former Barca player.
Agustin Alvarez (Penarol)
Agustin Alvarez is earning a reputation as the new golden boy of Uruguayan football.
The young forward has already made his debut for the senior Uruguay national team and even found the back of the net against Bolivia.
In the 2021 Uruguay Primera Division, he scored 13 goals in 26 matches but his performances in the Copa Sudamericana have been even better, with a tally of 10 goals in 14 games.
Barcelona are interested and the player represents an intriguing option and as Alvarez would be a cheaper option than some of their other targets.
Read more about: La Liga, Barcelona, Agustín Álvarez, Alvaro Morata, Franck Kessié, Mauro Icardi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
