Laporta steps in to solve Flick’s big Barcelona problem – and Lamine will approve

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is ready to take matters into his own hands in the transfer market after personally selecting a potential January reinforcement for the Spanish champions – one he believes can get even more from Lamine Yamal.

Hansi Flick’s side remain well placed in La Liga but have been brought back down to earth in recent games after losing successive matches to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid – the first truly elite sides that they have faced this season.

One area that has emerged as a point of concern has been the right-back role, where Jules Kounde has been suffering from an ankle sprain. Xavi Espart stepped in to be one of the revelations of the season, but he has also been struck with an ankle issue. Barcelona are still uncertain over how long this could see him miss out.

Lamine chemistry key to Barcelona transfer plan

In any case, Laporta has recognised the weakness in Flick’s defence and is ready to step in by signing one of his ‘favourite’ players from Premier League side Tottenham, according to 3Cat.

It claims that Laporta has set his sights on signing World Cup-winning right-back Pedro Porro from Spurs.

Porro is seen as an attractive option because of his ability to settle quickly into the team, thanks in no small part to the strong relationship he struck up with Lamine Yamal at the World Cup.

Laporta’s eye was particularly caught by the 27-year-old when he watched Spain’s semi-final against France live in Dallas – a match the defender netted in.

Barcelona tracked the player in the final weeks of the summer transfer market, but while they considered a move, there was never a concrete proposal made to either the player or the club.

Why Porro is a puzzling target for Barcelona

While Spurs will make any move for Porro difficult for Barcelona, they already have their eye on a potential replacement. Villarreal right-back Alex Freeman is being heavily scouted by the London side, who have been left “particularly impressed” by the performances of the 22-year-old, according to TeamTalk.

Arguably a more complicating factor for a transfer is Porro’s own injury record of late.

Given that Barcelona are seeking cover for a series of sidelined players, the Spaniard’s availability since returning from the World Cup has been patchy at best. He has played in only four of the club’s Premier League matches and missed the Carabao Cup match with Liverpool on Wednesday. He has not started a game since 5 September.

Barca still have limited resources to put into transfers as the renovation of Camp Nou goes on, so it would be surprising if they were to make a mid-season move of this sort given Porro’s own injury problems.