Barcelona could include 19-year-old defender in swap deal to sign €35 million Ligue 1 midfielder

Barcelona will be in the market this summer looking for two positions, primarily, in the form of a defensive midfielder and a left-winger.

The former, especially, was a huge concern for the club this season after the departure of Sergio Busquets in the summer.

The Catalans initially relied on summer signing Oriol Romeu to plug the hole, but the Spaniard’s performances continually declined as the season went on, reaching to the point where Andreas Christensen has become their starting pivot.

And while the Dane has proven to be a rather impressive solution, he is far from a long-term solution for Barcelona.

Barcelona take their search to France

Barcelona have now taken their search for a new pivot to France, according to SPORT, where they are keeping tabs on Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

The 23-year-old Frenchman is enjoying a stellar season, having played 20 games this season for Nice in the league. He is expected to be on the move away soon enough, and Barcelona could well be a potential destination.

Barcelona and Nice have already conducted business in the past, and are on good terms. The Catalans sold them Jean-Claire Todibo, who has done exceedingly well and is expected to leave this summer.

Todibo could earn Barça some money. (Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

The blaugranes have already received €12 million for him in transfer fee, but had maintained a 20% sell-on clause, which means they could earn over €10 million should he be solved for €50 million or more.

The Mika Faye angle

Should Todibo leave, Nice will be looking for a new centre-back in the summer, and one of the players they are eyeing is Barcelona Atletic’s starter, Mikayil Faye.

The Senegalese defender is on the radar of several clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, Girona, Lens, and even Bayern Munich.

Either this interest from Nice could prompt a swap deal between the two parties, which would obviously see Barcelona include some cash, or the clubs could potentially sell each other their assets at a discounted price.