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Barcelona have one of the strongest teams in La Liga and actively seek to improve it with every passing season. They spent around £115m on players in the summer, yet remain determined to bring in even more in January - and with the transfer market, as inflated as it is right now, they might need to spend big to get their targets.
As of writing, Barcelona sit top of La Liga on 37 points, just three points ahead of Atletico Madrid, and five ahead of Sevilla. Whilst other teams strengthen around them, Barcelona have almost remained the same despite their recent additions. They'll need to sign big stars in January if they want to get away from their competitors anytime soon.
Because Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in Europe, transfer speculation surrounds them constantly, so it can be difficult to tell what's real and what's simply fabrication. But in this list, we'll go through five players that have been closely linked with Barcelona in recent months and determine just how probable a move to the Nou Camp is.
#5 Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Aaron Ramsey seems to get included in virtually every list of players the top European clubs want to sign, but there's a very good reason for it this time around; the Welshman is out of contract at the end of the season, which means where he might end up is anyone's guess.
There have been rumours that he's already signed pre-contract deals with a few clubs, but nothing has been confirmed.
Ramsey currently plays for Arsenal as a central midfielder. He's an integral part of their squad, so when he does eventually leave, he'll be sorely missed.
Rumour probability: 3.5/10
ESPN FC pundit Shaka Hislop (via The Express) had said that Ramsey simply wouldn't fit in well enough at the Nou Camp to justify a move there in the summer and that he'd be better off with a team like Juventus instead. He's most probably right, too.
Although Ramsey was heavily linked with Barcelona back in the summer, speculation has died down considerably since then, with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus appearing to be the frontrunners for his signature now.
Having said that, the decision falls down to Ramsey when all said and done. Barcelona are a prestigious club in a prime destination, so if an offer came in, I think Ramsey would struggle to turn it down.
#4 Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)
Saul Niguez is another star whose name has been scattered everywhere in recent months; he's been linked to virtually every high-profile club in Europe, but has stayed loyal to Atletico Madrid up to this point. Could January be the window he finally makes the switch?
For a while, it seemed as if a move to the Premier League was inevitable back in the summer, with teams like Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all vying for his signature, but he stayed put, and those teams were left empty-handed. But with January fast approaching, there's no doubt that these clubs will go all-out to ensure that they don't lose him again.
Rumour probability: 7/10
If Barcelona want their man, they'll need to match his release clause of £134m. It's an eye-watering figure to most, but there's no doubt that Barca have the money available - it's just a case of whether they can be sure that the deal will pay off. It's a huge gamble, even if Saul is one of the best players in Spain right now.
The Express confirmed that Barcelona would get their man if they meet his release clause, so what's stopping them?
#3 Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)
Adrien Rabiot is yet another player whose contract runs out in the summer, which is why teams are desperately scrambling over each other to get him now, before time runs out.
January is always the best time to secure a player in the last few months of their contract, as you can beat the competitors who are waiting until the summer to act. It means that you'll have to pay out a fair bit to get the player, but when all said and done, he's now part of your club.
Rumour probability: 7/10
Barcelona have about as much of a chance as any other top-tier club trying to sign Rabiot next month. They recently confirmed via a statement that they had spoken with Paris Saint-Germain's sporting management regarding the availability of Rabiot, after a French publication accused the Spanish club of utilising illegal transfer methods to secure their man.
This puts Barcelona firmly in the race for the French midfielder, but where he'll end up is anyone's guess.
#2 Tanguy NDombele (Olympique Lyon)
Tanguy Ndombele is a 22-year-old central midfielder who plays for Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. He has also featured for France's national team, having made four appearances since his debut in October 2018.
With a market value of around £40.5m, Ndombele is quickly gaining attention from high-profile clubs, and Barcelona are one of the latest teams to show an interest in the midfielder.
He's quickly outgrown Lyon in Ligue 1, and is rightly looking for more of a challenge now; a team like Barcelona could be an ideal fit for him, should he choose La Liga over the Premier League next month.
Rumour probability: 6/10
Goal.com has said that Lyon has given both Man City and Barcelona a bit more faith in their hunt for Ndombele's signature next month, by telling them that his 80m asking price could come down. What's interesting about this is the fact that both teams can easily afford that figure already, but as soon as it drops, it will become a race to get their man.
#1 Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Frenkie de Jong is a 21-year-old central midfielder who plays for AFC Ajax in the Eredivisie. He has also featured for Holland's national team, having made six appearances since his debut in March 2017.
De Jong switched from Willem II's youth set-up to Ajax's U21 squad in the summer of 2015. Within a year, he was promoted to the first team where he's remained ever since.
The Dutch midfielder has been scouted by many high-profile clubs across Europe in recent months, but it looks as if Barcelona might get there first.
Rumour probability: 9/10
SportBild (via SkySports.com) report that Frenkie de Jong has agreed a five-year contract with Barcelona, but both clubs will now need to agree terms before De Jong makes the switch.
