FC Barcelona targets new central defender for next season

Among the objectives that FC Barcelona has already set for next season is to recruit a new central defender. Although they already signed Samuel Umtiti last summer, the blue and scarlets want to incorporate a new defender who can take the place currently occupied by the veterans Jérémy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano.

During the last few weeks, and with the firm intention of finding a young and talented center-back, the sports director of the club, Robert Fernández, has traveled to France to follow the progress of at least three players who have the appropriate qualities.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the player who stands out the most is Malang Sarr. The defender, who is only 17 years old, has excelled at Nice for his attractive combination of physical power and ability to handle the ball, qualities that have made him one of the most reliable center-backs in Ligue 1 and a player admired by Barcelona as well as teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan.

Alongside this versatile player, who can also play as a left-back, both Joris Gnagnon (Rennes, 20 years old) and Issa Diop (Toulouse, 20 years old) are emerging on the Barcelona's agenda. The first one was already a target for Sevilla before they signed Clément Lenglet, while the second one is among the many young French players that Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid's coach, keeps an eye on.