Barcelona are desperately in need of a central defender with the likes of Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen destined for the exit this summer. While Javier Mascherano has impressed while playing in that position and Marc Bartra catching the eye often, the Catalans need a solid ball-playing central defender who can carve a niche out for himself alongside the ever present Gerard Pique.
The former Manchester United man has been a revelation for the club ever since returning in 2008 winning the UEFA Champions League four times, the La Liga five times and much much more but ever since Carles Puyol retired, Barcelona's centre-backs have struggled to keep up.
Here are five defenders Barcelona should target this summer to partner Pique:
#5 Marquinhos
A huge talent and one that's often linked with Barcelona, Marquinhos has the age, the speed and the talent on his side to ensure he can succeed at Barcelona for yeras to come. A excellent reader of the game, the Paris Saint-Germain man would be an invaluable asset to the Catalans.
The 21-year-old recently confirmed that he was 'talking to a lot of European clubs' about a move given his failure to break into the Parisian first team ahead of David Luis and Thiago Silva. His irritation at the French capital could be Barcelona's gain this summer.
Given the Spanish game's pace and physical nature, Marquinhos has the physique and the mental capabilities of dealing with both. His ability to dribble decently well when on the ball could be of great use for Luis Enrique and given his pace, can play along the back-line.
#4 Konstantinos Manolas
A perpetual Premier League target, Konstantinos Manolas has been silently improving his game and physique at the Italian capital team of AS Roma. Easily one of the best defenders in the Serie A behind the Juventus triumverate, Manolas is one for the future given he's only 24-years-old.
He's quick, heads the ball well and much like Marquinhos can dribble the ball well enough to adapt easily to the kind of style Barcelona demand. His willingness to 'do a Carles Puyol' a la put your head where a leg would go is what has carved him a name for himself in Italy.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have been scouting him for years and it finally looks like he could get a move to one of the 'bigger' European clubs this summer but if Barcelona do get him, it'll be a huge boost and could go a long way in determining the future of their defence.
#3 Mats Hummels
While the news of him 'almost' signing for Bayern Munich seeped through the world last week, Mats Hummels still remains a Borussia Dortmund player in search for a 'top club'. He has admitted in the past that he wouldn't be able to turn down a move to Barcelona.
The 27-year-old is, according to me, one of the better defenders Germany and the world has seen in a while. He showed against Liverpool that he's capable of running with the ball all the way till he finds a striker. His broad shouldered physique gives him the advantage of wrapping the ball away from most poachers.
Hummels also has an abundance of 'game sense'. He's capable of reading situations with ease and making the right call. With his moderate pace – enough for a central defender – and his intelligence, he would be an incredible addition to the Catalans who wouldn't have to pay too much for him given he's got one year left on his contract come the end of the current season.
#2 Leonardo Bonucci
Possibly the best defender in the world right now, Leonardo Bonucci, is second on thie list only because he's isn't the best ball-playing defender on this list or out on the field. The Italian is one of the reasons Juventus have been able to win the Serie A five times in a row.
His leadership qualities and last-ditch tackling has won the game for the Turin club multiple amount of games. While he's 28-years-old and a huge target for Chelsea given the arrival of Antonio Conte, maybe the chance to play at the Camp Nou with Barcelona could turn his head.
Bonucci is the kind of defender Pique would love playing alongside. He's as defensive as defensive can get and will often tolerate Pique's runs into the middle of the park. His physical strength and sharpness will allow him to read the situation and deal with it better than most defenders can.
#1 Jerome Boateng
When someone like Pep Guardiola calls you the 'best defender in the world', it should speak the truth more than most other opinions. The German has been a rock at the back of Bayern Munich. With him in the side, they've rarely lost a game or conceded any goals.
The 27-year-old is now heading into the peak of his career with the club and if Barcelona do sign him up, will inherit all his best years. He's quick, extremely mobile and while Lionel Messi showed him the door last season in the UEFA Champions League, remains one of the best defenders in the world.
His aerial ability could equally rival Pique's and he's hunger for defending right could be a huge boost for Barcelona. The Catalans, however, will have to pay quite a bit of money for the German considering his new contract but when they did the same for Luis Suarez, they can for Boateng. He's equally as worthy.
