Barcelona remain keen to strengthen their squad in January and will focus on signing players who are eligible to play in the Champions League, according to Marca.
The Catalan giants have abandoned hope of signing primary target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January, but are confident of snaring the Brazil international in the summer, particularly given Jurgen Klopp’s world record purchase of Virgil van Dijk and the impending arrival of Naby Keita at Anfield.
Barcelona have surged into a nine point lead at the top of La Liga and crushed Real Madrid 3-0 at the Bernabeu in last Saturday’s Clasico. Ernesto Valverde’s side also topped their Champions League group and will face Chelsea in the last 16.
The Catalan giants were dismantled by beaten finalists Juventus at the quarter final stage last season and believe they will need to add to their squad when the window reopens if they are to mount a serious challenge this time around.
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Barca are known to be monitoring Mesut Ozil’s situation at Arsenal with the Germany international no closer to agreeing a new deal with Manchester United also in the running.
Marca claims three other player are on Valverde’s January wishlist including Nabil Fekir of Lyon, who is also the subject of interest from Arsenal, Gremio’s Arthur and former Chelsea midfielder Oscar.
The 26-year-old became one of the best paid players in world football when he joined Shanghai SIPG last December in a £60million deal.
MORE: Barcelona and Liverpool schedule Philippe Coutinho transfer meeting
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