Despite spending more than €200 million on new signings in this window already, FC Barcelona have now reportedly identified their next target, but it's not Neymar.
The Catalan giants have been in the market for a new left-back since selling Lucas Digne to Everton in August 2018. Having previously been linked with a host of players, it appears the Blaugrana have now identified their primary target to fill the position.
Jordi Alba currently occupies the left side of Barca's defence, but the club is short of options beyond the Spanish international. Ernesto Valverde has identified the position as one of concern, and was previously said to be interested in former Atletico Madrid defender, Filipe Luis.
The 34-year old, who recently became a free agent, has since fallen from Barcelona's radar, with the club seemingly focusing its attention on a younger alternative instead.
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According to Marca, Barcelona are interested in signing Real Betis' Junior Firpo, and see the Dominican-born defender as both an immediate cover option and long-term successor to Alba.
Firpo made his senior debut for Betis in 2018, and has since become one of the standout players in LaLiga. His impressive performances have caused a number of clubs to take notice, including 2018/19 Uefa Champions League winners Liverpool, and Betis are seemingly resigned to losing their man before the transfer window closes.
It appears the Spanish side has already signed a replacement for Firpo after completing the loan of Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal, with the deal including the option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
Read: The Highest-Paid Barca Stars After Griezmann Transfer
Firpo's departure seems imminent, with Barca reportedly preparing to negotiate a deal with Betis for his signature. He reportedly has a release clause of €50 million (R780 million) in his contract, but the Blaugrana will apparently look to offer Marc Cucurella, whom they brought back from Eibar after activating his buy-back clause on Tuesday, or Juan Miranda as part of a player-plus-cash deal to bring down the fee.
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