Barcelona plan to make another first team signing alongside Gabriel Jesus | OneFootball

The final 36 hours of the 2026 summer transfer window are sure to be very busy for Barcelona, who have several plates spinning. A deal to bring Gabriel Jesus to the Spotify Camp Nou was agreed over the weekend, but he may not be the only player to be added to Hansi Flick’s squad before the deadline at 11pm CEST on Tuesday.

Barcelona are still hoping that Atletico Madrid finally open the door for a deal to be done for Julian Alvarez, although there is acceptance that this won’t happen this summer. Instead, they have turned their attention towards a new central defender to replace Ronald Araujo, who joined Liverpool on loan earlier in the month.

Deco has been working hard on a deal for the last week, and until now, the name of their leading target has been kept under wraps. It was believed by some that the mystery player could be new Barca Atletic recruit Mikael Baza, although it has now been confirmed by Sport that this is not the case.

Barcelona eyeing left-sided centre-back profile

Barcelona had no intended to strengthen in central defence until they started to realise that Alvarez would not be arriving, but they have the funds to do business. The idea is for a left-sided option to be prioritised, as this is something they have lacked – outside of Gerard Martin – since Inigo Martinez left last summer.

Barcelona and Deco are running out of time to get their business done. As the deadline draws nearer, it will be increasingly more difficult to get any deals done on their terms, which is why there is a frustration among supporters that things are not wrapped up yet. Nevertheless, the situation is very much open at this stage, and there could be further news in the coming hours.