Barça keeping tabs on Balerdi
Boca Juniors centre-back Leonardo Balerdi is one of the names on the list of possible reinforcements for the winter transfer window.
Boca Juniors' young defender Leonardo Balerdi remains on Barcelona's radar, according to reports in Catalunya today. Catalan daily Sport claim that the 19-year-old centre-back is on a list of possible reinforcements as the club continues to sound out a number of players to strengthen the central defensive positions.
Barcelona plan to bring in two defenders
The article adds that, with Samuel Umtiti out injured, and with Dutch defender Matthijs De Ligt a high priority target, the club's objective is to bring in two central defenders during the January window - an experienced defender who can be signed on loan for the remaining six months of the campaign and a younger player for the long term.
Among the players Barça have in mind for a short-term loan are Branislav Ivanovic (Zenit), Benedikt Höwedes (Lokomotiv), José Fonte (Lille) and Adil Rami (Olympique de Marseille).
As for those who the baluagranas see as a more of an investment for the future, the following players figure: Unai Núñez (Athletic Club), Diego Llorente (Real Sociedad), Jorge Meré (Cologne), Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan), Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig), Abdou Diallo (Borussia Dortmund) and Andreas Christensen (Chelsea).
Balerdi has also been linked with Juventus as a possible winter reinfocement.
