Football Express News understands that Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is struggling to find a suitable centre-back for the club.
Calls for a new centre-back to be signed at Barcelona have been made by club members, media men and fans for a number of seasons and following the announcement that Carles Puyol was to retire, the club had further president to make a move this summer.
Links to Paris Saint Germain’s Marquinhos have been well maintained but it is understood now that his transfer fee would be too high for the Catalan side, whilst the likelihood of Jeremy Mathieu [Valencia] or Jan Vertonghen [Spurs] joining are said to be very thin.
Basel’s Fabian Schar is another option but it is said that Barca have been discouraged due to the amount if interest other clubs have shown.
Should Barca not sign a recognised centre-back, there is no doubt that question marks will be raised, following their signing of Alex Song from Arsenal two seasons back, who failed to adapt to a switch in position like Argentine Javier Mascherano did so well.
One player who seems the best option for Barca in terms of money is Federico Fazio from Sevilla, but it is uncertain whether or not he wants to leave the Andalusian club.