"One of the profiles highlighted by the outlet is Otamendi. He is currently under contract with Benfica until 2026 and remains a key figure at the club, wearing the captain's armband and featuring regularly. However, the report also underlines that prising him away would be far from straightforward, especially given his importance and his strong ties through agent Jorge Mendes."
"Another option on the table is Stefan de Vrij of Inter Milan. Now 33, the Dutch defender offers tactical reliability and experience at the highest level. Although he has not played a leading role this season, his profile fits Barcelona's needs well. Like Otamendi, he is right-footed but capable of operating on the left, which adds flexibility to Flick's defensive options."
"The third name is Marcos Senesi, currently with Bournemouth. At 28, he is the youngest of the three and the only left-footed centre-back on the list. The report notes that Joao Amaral, Barcelona's new head of scouting, has been monitoring Senesi closely. Although not initially a top priority, his contract situation changes the picture. He is set to be out of contract next year, meaning January could be Bournemouth's last chance to secure a fee."
Barcelona are preparing to reinforce their defence during the January window and are prioritizing low-cost, experienced options that fit sporting needs and financial limits. Internal talks involving head coach Hansi Flick have prompted the search for a central defender. The shortlist currently contains Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica captain under contract until 2026, tightly linked to agent Jorge Mendes), Stefan de Vrij (33, Inter Milan, tactically reliable, right-footed but capable on the left), and Marcos Senesi (28, Bournemouth, left-footed, monitored by head of scouting Joao Amaral, contract expires next year).
Read at Barca Universal
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