Barcelona take wait and see approach on January centre back signing | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are approaching the January transfer window with caution as we close in on the new year. With the squad stretched at the back and the calendar beginning to tighten, the club’s priority has been to buy time, time to assess, time to analyse, and time to avoid a decision that could compromise plans already mapped out for the summer.

The coming weeks are crucial as the club has a 20-day window to fully process the implications of Andreas Christensen’s long-term injury, a period that also determines whether Barça can activate an emergency registration mechanism using a percentage of the Dane’s salary. Until that evaluation is complete, no irreversible steps will be taken.

What is clear internally is the framework guiding any potential move. Hansi Flick and Deco are aligned in the view that a January signing will only happen if it meaningfully improves the squad and introduces genuine competition, without derailing financial planning. The major defensive investment remains earmarked for the summer, when the desired targets become accessible and fair play constraints are less restrictive.

According to SPORT, several short-term possibilities have been explored. The Premier League has emerged as a potential hunting ground, with intermediaries floating names such as Nathan Ake and Axel Disasi.

Ake’s versatility, capable of playing both as a left-sided centre-back and full-back, is appreciated, particularly given his desire for more minutes ahead of the World Cup. However, Manchester City are only open to a permanent deal, and the defender has other Premier League suitors, making the operation difficult.

Disasi’s situation is different. Surplus to requirements at Chelsea, despite a sizeable investment, the French international is eager for playing time and has attracted interest from AC Milan. Still, he is understood to be willing to wait should Barcelona move decisively.

For now, Barca are deliberately holding their nerve. Internally, alternatives are also being weighed while also restoring Eric Garcia to centre-back, increasing minutes for Marc Bernal, and factoring in the imminent return of Gavi.

The condition of Ronald Araujo, due back in training imminently, will be another decisive variable that could influence the January transfer decisions.

Barcelona know the risk, and a fresh defensive setback after January will leave them with no room for correction. But for now, patience is being treated as the most strategic option of all.