Barcelona need to upgrade. They always seem to, these days. For all of the talk of the financial mismanagement at the top of the club, the Blaugrana haven't recruited badly in recent years. Robert Lewandowski, although not his former self, fired them to a league title. Jules Kounde, although flawed, has proved himself at two defensive positions. Ilkay Gundogan, on a free transfer, seems an excellent piece of business.
But there have also been some misses in the transfer market — especially last summer. Oriol Romeu was a confusing addition as a replacement for Sergio Busquets, while Joao Felix has been the mercurial, often ineffective presence, that fans of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid previously came to know.
Heading into the upcoming January transfer window, the Blaugrana do have a real need. A season-ending ACL rupture sustained by Gavi in November leaves them without a key piece in midfield, while fitness issues for other players in the centre of the park have only heightened their struggles. Barca have acknowledged as much, with club president Joan Laporta having claimed that his team are in the market for a central midfielder on loan.
So while teenage Brazilian striker Vitor Roque will arrive to bolster the attacking ranks, GOAL takes a look at the midfielders Barca could sign this winter...