Sports
5 Center-Backs Barcelona Should Target in January
FC Barcelona are feeling good about themselves right now, winners of seven straight in all competitions and sitting atop the La Liga table at the holiday break.
Despite the recent success, Barca will have to be active during the upcoming January transfer window, as the Catalans currently find themselves very thin in central defense.
With the news that Andreas Christensen will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in training last week, and the uncertainty around Ronald Araujo’s future at the Camp Nou, the Spanish giants need to find a solution at center-back.
Pau Cubarsi is a superstar in the making, and natural left-back Gerard Martin has deputized well in the center of defense, but Hansi Flick’s side will need to add a proven defender next month if they want any hope of competing for titles, both domestically and in Europe.
Here are five center-backs Barcelona should target in the January transfer window.
1
Alessandro Bastoni
Market value: €80 million
While highly unlikely, 
Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni would be a dream signing for Barcelona.
Bastoni has developed into one of the best central defenders in world football, and at 26 years old is entering the prime of his career. The 6-foot-3 Italian is smart, physical and a force in the air, capable of getting his head on any ball into the box on both ends of the pitch.
Blaugrana sporting director Deco reportedly traveled to Milan recently to discuss a potential move for the 2021 European champion, but a deal would be difficult to secure consider his massive price tag and his current contract, which runs until June 2028.
2
Pau Torres
Market value: €25 million
Pau Torres is a much more realistic target for Deco and Co., as the Spaniard would come much cheaper than the likes of Bastoni.
Barcelona was interested in Torres before he made a €40 million move to 
Aston Villa in 2023, but the club has continued to monitor the 6-foot-3 defender since.
A deal for the former Villareal man could be tricky, as he is a key player in Unai Emery’s surging Villa side, but the 28-year-old is reportedly open to listening to an offer to return to La Liga.
3
Nico Schlotterbeck
Market value: €55 million
Another defender Barcelona have been heavily linked with is 
Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck.
Schlotterbeck’s contract with Dortmund runs until the end of next season, and he could be signed at a good price if a deal could be struck in the summer. But Flick’s squad needs defensive help right now; would they be willing to pay a pretty penny for the 26-year-old?
Barcelona would certainly not be the only big European club to be kicking tires on Schlotterbeck, so the Catalans would have to act quickly if they want to bring in the German international.
4
Gonçalo Inácio
Market value: €45 million
Barcelona could turn to Portugal and nab Sporting star Gonçalo Inácio, who at 24 years old would be a savvy signing for the La Liga title holders.
Inacio would fit in perfectly with Barca’s youth movement, and would slide seamlessly into the left center-back position, given that he is left-footed. His price tag is not out of Barcelona’s range, but the fact that his current contract only expires in 2030 could be make negotiations a bit tricky.
5
Luis Benedetti
Market value: €4 million
This signing would be under-the-radar, but could pay major dividends in a few years.
Luis Benedetti is a 19-year-old center-back for Brazilian giants Palmeiras, and is one of the top young defensive talents coming out of South America.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Benedetti has made just 12 starts for Palmeiras’ senior side, but has made a strong enough impression to get the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, like Barca and Arsenal.
The Bauru native is still raw, but has shown plenty of potential and could develop into a top defender if he lands in the right situation. This could be a great low-risk, high-reward move for Barcelona, who have to be smart with their money following years of crippling debt.
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