Three cost-effective centre-backs Barcelona can sign in January including former La Masia talent | OneFootball

Barcelona face a real defensive headache after Andreas Christensen suffered a partial tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in late December, an injury that looks set to keep him out for months and opens the door for a January signing. 

As reported multiple times before, Barcelona are evaluating several options who can reinforce the defence, and while many names have already been chalked off, there are a few market opportunities that the team can exploit.

For now, the club must move carefully because of salary-cap limits.

With that being said, here we look at three sensible, affordable options that could strengthen the back line without breaking the bank. 

Stefan de Vrij – experience on a short deal

Stefan de Vrij is a proven, calm leader with big-game experience for club and country. 

Stefan De Vrij could be a strong option. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

He is under contract at Inter until 2026, which makes a January move possible if Inter are willing to let him go early. 

Recent reports say Inter could be open to selling him this winter, a window where Barcelona could pick up experience for a modest fee or a short loan plus small compensation, rather than a multi-year big outlay. 

For Barca, de Vrij would bring immediate stability as he knows how to organise a defence, exactly what Hansi Flick needs while Christensen recovers. 

Because de Vrij is 33 and on the final year of his contract, any January transfer would likely be low-to-moderate and a fee in the single-digit millions or a loan with a small buy option is realistic. 

That makes him a cost-effective short-term fix. 

Marcos Senesi – quality with an expiring deal

Marcos Senesi at Bournemouth is a modern, ball-playing centre-back who can slot straight into La Liga. 

Marcos Senesi could be a massive coup. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Getty Images)

Like De Vrij, his contract runs until 2026, so Bournemouth face a choice – sell in January for a fee or risk losing him for free in the summer. 

That position usually lowers the price in winter. Several outlets link Senesi with Serie A and La Liga interest, and he is widely reported to be available for a reasonable sum if clubs move early. 

For Barcelona, Senesi would be a solid, mid-term investment – younger than de Vrij and suited to the ball-playing demands of Flick’s system. 

Expect a bargain compared with marquee names, as reports put likely January asks in the low-to-mid-teens of millions or even lower if Bournemouth prefer to cash in rather than lose him for nothing in June. 

Mika Marmol – a low-cost homecoming

Mika Marmol is the most Barcelona-friendly option. A La Masia product, he now plays for UD Las Palmas and has a contract that also runs through to summer 2026. 

A possible homecoming for Mika Marmol? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Barcelona kept a stake when he left originally, meaning they have economic ties and clear knowledge of the player. 

Marmol’s release clause has been reported at around €10m in past windows, but with just months left on his deal, Las Palmas may be reluctant to sell in January.

This deal in the winter would likely be modest and could involve Barca using their retained economic rights to lower the cash outlay. 

Importantly, bringing Marmol back would be cheap and smooth from a cultural and tactical fit point of view.

Because of his contract status and Barca’s retained rights, Marmol would be the cheapest of the three, a low single-figure fee or a structured deal that limits immediate cash outflow.