Barcelona targeting defensive reinforcements

Barcelona will be in the market for a new centre-back in the upcoming transfer window, according to Marca.

It seems that Jean-Clair Todibo, whom they brought in from Toulouse last winter, isn’t ready to provide proper competition for the regular starters in the heart of the defence, Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet, and the same goes for 20-year-old Ronald Araujo. Todibo will stay at the club and get a small number of minutes as often as possible, while Araujo will continue playing for Barcelona B for the time being.

But it’s the fitness issues of Samuel Umtiti that have finally made the club realize the need for reinforcements in that department is real. With head coach Ernesto Valverde unable to rely on the Frenchman regularly, the club will turn to the transfer market when the window opens. They will also keep an eye out for a right-back to compete with Nelson Semedo, with Sergi Roberto set for midfield return.