Barcelona have one week to complete two signings

Joan Laporta promised Xavi Hernández that the first team squad would be reinforced during the winter transfer window - and not with just one signing but at least two positions would be strengthened. Barça aim to bring in a left-back and another forward but time is running out. The club has just one week to cplete both operations before the 31 January deadline. Apart from finding and convincing two suitable candidates, Barça also must juggle theiir finances to keep within fair play regulations.

Director of Football Mateu Alemany faces an enormous task for to get results which will satisfy the coach with other issues to sort out, including the Ousmane Dembélé affair.

Resolving Dembélé's situation is a matter of urgency for the club. Xavi doesn't want him in his squad and the club plan to sell him this month if he doesn't renew his contract. It doesn't seem likely that a simple solution will be found - especially given how both the player and agent have used the situation for their own benefit.

Barça want to sign a left-back so that they can rest Jordi Alba and a versative forward - a player who can create and score goals - that is a priority now that it has been confirmed how long Ansu Fati will be sidelined.

For some time, Barcelona's transfer dealings have been centred around finding the best option - even if it is a short-term solution to issues which need to be addressed properly. The club has a large list of candidates for the left-back position - Argentina international Nicolás Tagliafico is the best-placed. However Ajax want a 7 million euro fee for the defender and that is a figure which could scupper the operation.

Morata or Boyé

In attack, the main candidate is still Álvaro Morata. But the situation is similar to Tagliafico's - his club would only be open to a six-month loan deal with an option to buy the player. The operation remains open and Morata is willing to leave Juve to return to Spain and join Barça. If the Morata option falls through, Xavi's alternative is Eche striker Lucas Boyé. Boyé is an option which the Technical Secretary agrees with.

Both of those operations however depend on the club reducing wages bill. With the Dembélé case to be resolved, the club are also looking at other avenues to reach their objetive - one possibility is to loan out Dest or Memphis, or renew Sergi Roberto's contract and modify his salary, among other ideas.