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Barcelona squandered a great chance to break into the top four of La Liga last night as they fell to a 1-1 draw with SD Eibar last night. They look like they need to bring in reinforcements in January if they are to challenge for the title this season.
Barcelona have to balance their books and sell some players before they can buy new ones. But sales are rarer in the January transfer window as opposed to the summer transfer window. As such, we could see a lot of loan deals being sanctioned over the course of the next few weeks.
They have been linked with a number of players ranging from forwards to defenders and Barcelona could be in for a busy month. Without further ado, let's take a look at five players Barcelona can sign in January.
5 players Barcelona can sign in January
#5 Georginio Wijnaldum
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has entered the final months of his contract. Liverpool have reportedly tabled a new contract offer to the Dutchman and he is set to make a decision in the coming days.
He ought to be well aware by now that Barcelona are keen on signing him. In a couple of days, Wijnaldum can enter into a pre-contract agreement with any club of his choosing. It's a bit of a stretch but if Wijnaldum doesn't put pen to paper on a new deal at Liverpool, the January transfer window will be Merseysiders' last chance to cash in on him.
Eitherway, Barcelona can start discussing terms with him in January. The 30-year-old is a tireless midfielder who has enjoyed immense popularity at Anfield since joining in 2016 from Newcastle United.
#4 Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal defender Shokdran Mustafi has fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta and is seeking an exit from the club. According to reports, Shkodran Mustafi might end up going to Barcelona. Yes, it sounds outrageous but it looks like it might just happen over the next few weeks.
The German international has played only thrice this Premier League season under Arteta and all those appearances came from the bench. Mustafi has reportedly told the club that he wants to leave as early as January to gain more playing time.
Barcelona have a lot of defensive problems. Pique is injured and Samuel Umtiti spends more time on the sidelines than on the pitch. Clement Lenglet is the only fit centre-back with a fair amount of first-team exposure and the Catalans are desperate to rope in someone experienced for cheap and Mustafi fits the bill.
#3 Boubacar Kamara
Olympique Marseille president Pablo Longoria has now revealed that they might have to sell 21-year-old Boubacar Kamara in January. Barcelona and Manchester United have registered an interest in the young Frenchman and could enter a race to sign him now that he has been given the permission to leave.
Speaking about Kamara and Duja Caleta-Car, Pablo Longoria said:
“If players are attractive, you have to be ready to replace them."
Kamara offers a long-term solution at defensive midfield. He is also good at playing at centre-back and is a young and versatile player who won't come for cheap. It was recently reported that Marseille have slapped a €60 million price tag on him now that they know several high-profile clubs are interested in signing him.
#2 Eric Garcia
Signing the right kind of player is a difficult thing to do for any club. Finding a player who is the right fit for a system is harder than it seems and that's why some high-profile transfers fail to work out.
Eric Garcia left Barcelona in 2018 and is currently at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola confirmed in August earlier this year that Garcia decided to not renew his contract. Barcelona were interested in bringing the La Masia product back to the club.
However, City did not let him leave in the summer but they just might in January. According to David Ornstein of the Athletic, Manchester City will let Eric Garcia leave next month should they receive a 'suitable bid'. That amount will be quite low as they currently run the risk of losing him for free in the summer.
#1 Memphis Depay
Barcelona have made no secret of their admiration for Memphis Depay or their desire to secure his services. They were heavily linked with the Dutchman in the summer with Ronald Koeman intent on reuniting with the player he managed for the Netherlands international side.
According to L'Equipe via Mercato, Olympique Lyon are willing to sell Depay for as little as £4.5 million in January. Olympique Lyon have been forced into making that decision as they currently run the risk of losing Memphis Depay for free in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona are favourites to sign him as things stand and the former Manchester United forward is keen on joining the Catalans as well.
