Barcelona running out of time to sign a midfielder, awaiting FFP clarification from La Liga

As the January transfer window edges towards its closure, Barcelona are still aiming to sign a new midfielder before the trading period slams shut, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona have to be competitive until the end and secure a top-four finish in La Liga at the very least.

That is why the sporting management, with the consensus of the coach, has decided to go to the market to try to reinforce the midfield, taking advantage of the little financial ‘fair play’ that will be left after Alejandro Balde says goodbye to the remainder of the season.

The left-back is out with a hamstring injury and is all set to undergo surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

It is worth remembering that as with Gavi, Barça has the possibility of releasing a player with a long-term injury and can use 80% of his salary to sign another star until the end of the season. On that occasion, the opportunity was taken to bring in Vitor Roque.

Awaiting FFP clarity

And Barcelona are now open to making use of the same tactic to sign a new replacement before the end of the January transfer window, as per the aforementioned report.

But with only three days left before the window slams shut, finding a player who would suit the team’s requirements and fit into the financial fair play margin that the club would be difficult.

Barcelona are now waiting for La Liga to confirm today the exact figure for the signing. They assume that they will have very little money left, but in these three days, Deco will try to find a reinforcement to improve the squad.

Deco has his task cut out. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

What are Barcelona looking for?

With a minimum of ‘fair play’ it will be very difficult to find a midfielder to improve the present squad. Moreover, the needs and requirements of the team have also changed.

Before Barça were understood to be looking player with a great final pass who could operate as an interior midfielder like Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso.

Now, as MD has already pointed out, they would be more suited to a Yaya Toure style, a physical midfielder who plays as a pivot rather than as an interior midfielder.