Barcelona’s sale of Jean-Clair Todibo to Schalke means that they currently have only three fit central defenders. The club missing out on Matthijs de Ligt led them to keep four defenders, but having only three options now could see them potentially sign another central defender in the future. For that, they would have to take the Clement Lenglet route once again.
They would certainly be tempted by the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly or Milan Skriniar. They would be inclined to sign the Senegalese international, with Napoli signing Amir Rahmani and Marash Kumbulla. It could be easier to sign Koulibaly in the summer, thanks to the signings of two talented defenders. But that isn’t a path Barcelona can explore. This list of betting sites gives us the best idea of who Barca might approach before the window shuts.
On paper, Koulibaly would suit the Nou Camp-based side. He is the modern-day defender, who does a bit of everything. This season, the former Genk man has made 14 Serie A appearances and while he is currently injured, he has won 2.6 tackles per game. He has made 1.1 interceptions per game. He has been dribbled past only 0.6 times per game.
On the ball, he is just as proficient. He has completed 64.4 passes per game and boasts of a sound accuracy of 89.4 percent. He has completed 4.4 long balls per game and has done very well, despite Napoli not having a single ball-winning midfielder in the side.
Last season was an impressive one for him too. Koulibaly made 35 appearances in Serie A, scoring two goals as well. He won 2.2 aerial duels per game, winning 1.7 tackles per game too. He got dribbled past 0.5 times per game and had some impressive passing stats too.
The defender had a passing accuracy of 89 percent, playing a total of 71.9 passes per game. It just shows how well-rounded a defender Koulibaly is. None of his numbers are too exceptional by any means, but he is a jack of all trades and a master of none.
But having said that, there is little space for Barcelona to accommodate him. Samuel Umtiti is slowly coming to regular football after injury issues. The Frenchman has started the last two games for the club, having made ten appearances so far this season.
Gerard Pique, who has been a pillar for the club over the years, is still very much there. The Spaniard has made 20 appearances in the La Liga, playing four times in the UEFA Champions League too.
As for Lenglet, he too has been a regular. The former Sevilla man has made 15 La Liga appearances, scoring once as well.
All three of them are top quality defenders and will demand regular football unless they’re sold. The same goes for Koulibaly too. The defender is being touted by many powerhouse clubs and he can have better opportunities for him to play regularly.
Barca need someone younger- someone who can sit on the bench and get some gametime in cup games. Koulibaly will not be happy with that. Perhaps, promoting a defender like Todibo himself from the academy will make sense. And Barca need big money to sign a left-winger, considering how they were desperate to sign Neymar last summer.
It could easily be a lot like what happened with Lenglet when he came to the club from Sevilla. That could be the sort of transfer Barca need.
