Barcelona to swoop in January to cover injured Mascherano

Barcelona are in the market for a centre-back in January, according to a report in Spain.

It’s understood that Barca had not been planning to make a move in the winter transfer window, but the injury to Javier Maschaerano may well persuade them to add to their squad.

Mascherano, 33, has suffered an injury to his right hamstring while playing for Argentina last week and he is expected to be sidelined for a month.

The defender, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, has only played six times in La Liga this season and Marca report Barca are ready to strengthen their rearguard in January.

Whether or not they make a new signing will depend upon the performances of Thomas Vermaelen from now until the end of the year. The former Arsenal man, who was on loan with Roma last term, has not played in La Liga for Barcelona since March 2016, but is expected to get some game time with Mascherano missing.

Barca are believed to have an an option to sign Colombia international Yerry Mina for €9million next summer, while they have also been heavily linked with Ajax’s 18-year old defender Matthijs de Ligt.

Ziggo Sport recently claimed de Ligt was on his way to Barca in a €45million deal in January.  The starlet, who made his first-team debut in 2016 and played 23 times in all competitions last season, including in the Europa League final defeat to Man Utd, signed a contract extension over the summer.

Also on Barca’s target list is believed to be Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez, who was linked with a move in the summer. He has a release clause of €32million and would be eligible to play in the Champions League, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and Basel’s Manuel Akanji have also been scouted.