Who should Barcelona get in and kick out in January? | OneFootball

Many people were predicting the demise of Barcelona after a sub-par season followed by a summer in which they lost Neymar and their manager, Luis Enrique.

Many people are now eating their words.

The first half-season under Ernesto Valverde at the Camp Nou has been a resounding success, with Barcelona nine points clear at the top of LaLiga. That said, it’s clear that Barça’s ageing squad still needs work in several areas.

Here’s what they should do in January.

IN

Playmaker

There is one name on everyone’s lips in Catalonia and that is Philippe Coutinho.

The player himself has made no secret of his desire to move to Barcelona and despite Liverpool’s insistence that he won’t be sold, it’s looking increasingly likely that Barça will get their man.

Coutinho will add much-needed creativity in attacking areas and perhaps even more importantly, he has the talent to succeed Andrés Iniesta as the chief playmaker from midfield.

If, for whatever reason, Barcelona are unable to procure Coutinho’s services, either Mesut Özil or Juan Mata and their expiring contracts offer intriguing and significantly cheaper alternatives.

Central defender

Barcelona have finally and belatedly found a worthy heir to Carlos Puyol in Samuel Umtiti, who, prior to his injury, had been arguably the best centre-back in LaLiga this season.

But Gerard Piqué is not getting any younger and Javier Mascherano’s impending departure will leave the Catalans horribly short of cover in that area.

Thomas Vermaelen has performed admirably on emergency duty but no one is under any illusion that he can be a long-term solution.

Palmeiras’ Colombia international Yerry Mina looks set to join in the summer. However, Barça should try their utmost to bring him in in January instead.

If that cannot be done, Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij would fit the desired profile as well. Another wild-card option could be a loan move for Chelsea’s David Luiz.

OUT

Javier Mascherano

Barring an unexpected turn of events, Javier Mascherano will leave Barcelona in January. He has been a wonderful servant to the club over the years but both Barça and the player know that the time is right for El Jefecito to move on, with his playing opportunities limited.

China looks a likely destination.

Arda Turan

It just hasn’t worked out for Arda Turan, the supremely talented Turkish playmaker who moved from Atlético Madrid in 2015. He has been injured and is yet to make an appearance for the club this season, meaning Barça will literally lose nothing by selling him.

Turan may still head to the Premier League but more probably, he will end up back in his native Turkey.

André Gomes

The Portuguese never seemed cut out to play at Barça’s level and despite numerous opportunities, he’s shown that he is nowhere near as good as his big-money fee would suggest.

Barça have to sell players of value if they are to afford Coutinho and Gomes’s age and pedigree means they should still be able to get something for him.