Gavi’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last weekend changed Barcelona’s transfer plans for the January transfer window.
The idea was to bring in Vitor Roque as a top target over the winter, but with Gabi out for the rest of the season, the focus is now on signing a new midfielder.
The fact that La Liga regulations allow Barca to sign an emergency deal to replace Gavi despite being over the salary cap opens the door for a transfer if a number of conditions are met.
Is Thiago Alcantara on your radar?
In this regard, according to SPORT, veteran Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara could be a candidate for FC Barcelona to replace Gabi in the January transfer window.
The former Barcelona midfielder’s contract with the Reds expires in 2024, meaning he could be a target for the Catalans in January. According to the report, Liverpool would be open to allowing Thiago to leave in the winter due to his loyalty to the club over the past three years.
The Spanish experience has struggled with some fitness issues recently but is expected to be in top form in the new year. Thiago seemed a good fit.Besides the financial stability of the operation, what makes Thiago an attractive option for Barcelona is that he knows the club inside and out and is familiar with Barça’s DNA.
Xavi knows Thiago well and believes that the midfielder will not need much time to adapt to the tactics and will fit well in the midfield position. Other names such as Jorginho and Guido Rodriguez, who are in a similar situation to Thiago, are also being investigated.
However, the Arsenal and Real Betis star does not fit the profile of a home-grown midfielder and is being considered as an option for the key position in the summer of 2024.
It remains to be seen if Barcelona will decide to bring back Thiago after he graduated from La Masia or if they will stick with their current group of young players like Fermin Lopez, Marc Bernal and Alex Garrido in Gabi’s absence.
