LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal holds off Vincent Janssen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
1. Hector Bellerin
Arguably the only area of the field in which Barcelona lack sufficient quality is right fullback. For seven years it was where they were safest, with the ever-consistent Dani Alves making the position his own, but the Brazilian has declined with age and left on a free transfer to join Juventus some months ago.
Big boots had to be filled, but so far Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal are not doing so. Signing a new right back could be high on their priorities, and although they may wait until the end of the current campaign, it is a position which features heavily on this list.
Perhaps the most obvious candidate would be Hector Bellerin, given the Arsenal man’s roots. Born in Catalonia, the pacey defender left for North London at a young age and has developed into one of the finest players in his position around, despite only being 21 years old.
Rumours of a return to his hometown club are nothing new, but at every turn Bellerin himself has distanced himself from them. There is no denying, though, that he fits the bill for Barcelona, having learnt under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, who employs very similar soccer principles to those on show at the Camp Nou.
An immediate deal looks almost impossible, but at the very least the club could enquire for the future and lay the ground work, although they may have to face competition from former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and hefty financial demands from the Gunners.
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<p>Big boots had to be filled, but so far Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal are not doing so. Signing a new right back could be high on their priorities, and although they may wait until the end of the current campaign, it is a position which features heavily on this list.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most obvious candidate would be Hector Bellerin, given the Arsenal man’s roots. Born in Catalonia, the pacey defender left for North London at a young age and has developed into one of the finest players in his position around, despite only being 21 years old.</p>
<p>Rumours of a return to his hometown club are nothing new, but at every turn Bellerin himself has distanced himself from them. There is no denying, though, that he fits the bill for Barcelona, having learnt under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, who employs very similar soccer principles to those on show at the Camp Nou.</p>
<p>An immediate deal looks almost impossible, but at the very least the club could enquire for the future and lay the ground work, although they may have to face competition from former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and hefty financial demands from the Gunners.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Mario Gaspar </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-425438" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F619209958-sd-eibar-v-villarreal-cf-la-liga-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">EIBAR, SPAIN – OCTOBER 30: Mario Gaspar of Villarreal CF reacts during the La Liga match between SD Eibar and Villarreal CF at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>2. Mario Gaspar</strong></p>
<p>A more realistic option, at least in the short term, is Villarreal and Spain fullback Mario Gaspar. That is not to say he would be an easy sell for the Yellow Submarine, but he would certainly represent a more likely move than Bellerin.</p>
<p>At 25, Gaspar has become a full representative for his country relatively recently and is at a good age, showing a good mix of experience and room to develop, which is a must for any player who joins Barcelona.</p>
<p>He is one of the unsung heroes of an impressive Villarreal side, which has arguably punched above its weight in recent years, reaching the Champions League qualifiers at the start of this season after a fourth place finish just five years after relegation from the top division.</p>
<p>Typically, for any Spain fullback, Gaspar is impressive in attack, proven by a wonder goal on his full Spain debut against England in 2015, but he is also very competent defensively, which some people accused Alves of not being, even in hid heyday at the club.</p>
<p>Whilst this isn’t a move covered in star dust, often the best aren’t and Mario Gaspar would offer a lot to Luis Enrique, especially because he shows a lot of attributes the coach values most, including hard work and determination.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fabinho </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-425437" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F619202984-as-saint-etienne-v-as-monaco-ligue-1-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">FABINHO of Monaco during the French Ligue 1 between Saint Etienne and Monaco at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on October 29, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Jean Paul Thomas/Icon Sport) (Photo by Jean Paul Thomas/Icon Sport via Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>3. Fabinho</strong></p>
<p>The final fullback of this selection, AS Monaco’s Fabinho, is perhaps the most similar in style to Alves, and not just because of his nationality.</p>
<p>Both offer a real threat going forward and stretch the play in such a way which is vital to the way Barcelona play, but the 23-year-old has the pace to cover and time to be moulded into a player who avoids rash decisions, which Alves was at times guilty of committing.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/ku8AgqNEqnc?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>While the former Rio Ave man has links to Real Madrid, having been loaned there in 2013, making one appearance, which could complicate matters for some, that never stopped Samuel Eto’o from enjoying life at the club, let alone the coach, Enrique, who actually crossed the divide as a player in the 1990s.</p>
<p>Of the three fullback options here, Fabinho would likely need the most work, but while Monaco wouldn’t like to lose their man after fending off past interest from Manchester United, a deal could be struck, be it in January or next summer.</p>
<p>There is a long list of countrymen Fabinho will be keen to emulate, not just Alves, with Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Maicon also setting the bar for success in Europe. Barcelona would be the perfect platform to push on if and when he outgrows French football and this is definitely a deal worth considering.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Marquinhos </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-425435" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F617548134-paris-saint-germain-v-olympique-de-marseille-ligue-1-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 23: Marquinhos of PSG in action during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Parc des Princes stadium on October 23, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>4. Marquinhos</strong></p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>There is certainly a pattern developing here. Even though Umtiti is doing well in central defence since his move from Lyon and Javier Mascherano signed a new contract, the backline could still need additions, particularly with Gerard Pique injured.</p>
<p>If you asked the Barcelona board, behind closed doors, who their dream defensive signing would be, chances are they would say Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos, a player linked for a number of years, dating back to his time with Roma.</p>
<p>His ability on the ball, which, as a Brazilian, is unsurprising and has caught the eye of the LaLiga champions in the past. That, rather than his instincts to block a shot or clear the ball, is what makes him most suitable choice for Barça.</p>
<p>But, again, his age (22) is also a factor. More than any position, experience is key in central defence, and while Marquinhos has already played in some very high-level games for club and country, he has plenty of time to fulfil his potential, not to mention develop a long-term partnership with Pique or Umtiti.</p>
<p>He cost PSG around $35million in 2013 and has continued to improve, but since David Luiz left the Parc des Princes to return to Chelsea last summer he has found his feet and plays more regularly.</p>
<p>This deal is unlikely to happen now, but perhaps one day Marquinhos will sign on in Spain.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Mikel Oyarzabal </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-425434" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/08/5-players-barcelona-could-sign-in-january/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F601162780-real-sociedad-de-futbol-v-rcd-espanyol-la-liga-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 09: Marc Roca of RCD Espanyol duels for the ball with Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad during the La Liga match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and RCD Espanyol at Estadio Anoeta on September 9, 2016 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>5. Mikel Oyarzabal</strong></p>
<p>A wildcard entry, the Real Sociedad youngster has really shown his talent since breaking onto the scene at the Anoeta last year. Built very much in the modern style of player in Spain, with an immaculate touch and superb technique, Oyarzabal differs by standing taller than those he can be compared to at 5’11.</p>
<p>Options in the central attacking areas are, as already covered, hardly in short supply, but perhaps the 19-year-old could offer something different, operating in a more advanced role than Iniesta, who looks to be on the sidelines quite some time, and Rakitic for example.</p>
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<p>Six goals in 29 games for La Real since making his debut in 2016 has alerted a lot of people, most notably former Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque, who gave him his full international debut before Euro 2016 in May. That was despite only making two appearances for the under 18s and four for the under 19s.</p>
<p>It is highly unlikely that Real Sociedad will sell their starlet, certainly not in January, while Barcelona may not cast their eye over him due to heavy competition. It would be foolish to ignore his progress completely, though.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">