PSV midfielder Sangare is Barça's surprise option to replace Busquets

Barcelona want to strengthen in defensive midfield as soon as possible with a player who is capable of bringing order and fluidity to the team's play as well as being resistant defensively. The objective is to sign someone who can replace Sergio Busquets and the club know they will have to invest. There are various candidates for the role. Some, like Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, have fallen. Another option is Ibrahim Sangare, the PSV midfielder who is in fine form in the Netherlands. Barça have had good reports on him for year. They were close to signing him when he played for Toulouse.

Sangare, 24, is worth over €30 million. In the last two seasons, he has emerged as one of the most robust midfielders on the European market. Leader in recoveries, the Ivory Coast international has improved a lot in possession and his progression has not gone unnoticed. Several clubs are keen on signing him in January. In the Netherlands, they assure that Barça have been following him for months but there has been no contact yet.

His name has been on the table for years. Barça tried to sign him when they brought in Jean Clair Todibo, but there was no agreement with Toulouse. In 2020, there were talks with his agent, but the option was ruled out and Sangare instead joined PSV for €7.5m. His price has multiplied since and everything indicates he will leave the Dutch league in January, or next summer at the latest.

At Barça, there is a debate about who to move for. The players they most like are Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) and Enzo Fernández (Benfica), but their prices are prohibitive. Ruben Neves is a more affordable option, but Xavi is not convinced even through the sporting committee like him. A decision will be made soon as Barça comb the market carefully to ensure they find the best option. What is clear is that any other midfield signing would be a free agent, such as Jorginho or Tielemans, next summer.