Barcelona: LaLiga club to make just the one January signing
As things stand, Barcelona only plan to sign a striker in the winter window, despite the lopsided nature of their defensive options.
Barcelona have decided to make just the one January signing. With Luis Suárez ruled out until May after undergoing knee surgery, the club are out to bring in a striker - be it Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno or an alternative option - but, barring any surprises, they won't be making any further forays into the market.
Todibo and Aleñá out on loan, Wagué and Pérez set to go too
The decision comes as something of a surprise, given that Jean-Clear Todibo and Carles Aleñá have left on loan for Schalke and Real Betis, respectively, with Carles Pérez close to also departing. What's more, it's likely that Moussa Wagué, who has failed to make any of Quique Setién's matchday squads so far, will either be loaned out or used as a makeweight in a deal for Rodrigo.
At the moment, Barça's first-team squad is: Marc-André Ter Stegen, Neto, Nélson Semedo, Gerard Piqué, Clément Lenglet, Wagué, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Júnior Firpo, Sergio Busquets, Arthur, Frenkie de Jong, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, Pérez and Suárez. Coupled with the Uruguayan's injury absence, Pérez and Wagué's exits would leave Setién with a senior squad of just 17, although Ansu Fati is to all intents and purposes a first-team player, despite officially being registered with Barça B.
No more signings despite lopsided Barcelona defensive options
Given that Barça could have as many as 29 games still to play this season (five in the Copa del Rey, seven in the Champions League and 17 in LaLiga), there seem to be compelling arguments in favour of adding to their modest first-team group - particularly in defence, where Setién's options appear slightly lopsided.
Following the departure of centre-back Todibo, there are four full-backs (not counting Wagué) but only three recognised central defenders. As things stand, Ronald Araújo will have to be drafted in from the 'B' team if Barcelona find themselves short of available players at the heart of their backline.