Is there time for one last signing at Barcelona?
Ernesto Valverde would like to have another central midfielder but there aren't many options available, so it could see Sergi Roberto moved further forward
Barça are working against the clock to bring in one last player before the transfer window closes on Friday. The sporting department are looking at two possible options and the objective is to sign another first team quality central midfielder.
The original list included Pogba, Rabiot and De Jong but they're all impossible now. This is why Barça are looking at alternatives. If none of the available options can be brought in then Sergi Roberto will be moved into the midfield for some matches.
Barcelona's squad for this season is practically complete and the majority of the work is securing exits for Paco Alcacer and Rafinha. The ideal scenario would see the club earn money from the sale of one of the two players, but at the moment there's only been loan offers which will reduce the wage bill. If one were to be sold, it'd allow Barcelona more financial power when it comes to signing a top tier midfielder.
Ernesto Valverde is extremely satisfied with his squad but knows that for the inside right area of midfield, there's only Rakitic and no natural replacement for him. The plan is to sign someone who could cover that role as well as other areas across the midfield.
Barça know that to sign their main targets they must wait one or two more transfer windows. From January it'll be a lot easier to negotiate for De Jong, Pogba or Rabiot. The last of which RAC1 are reporting that Barça haven't given up on.
The sporting department haven't ruled out making no new signings and waiting until January, but Valverde would like one extra body through the door as he expects a long and hard season. Four days and counting to see if Barcelona can find a solution from elsewhere, or look for a short-term solution from inside the current squad.
