Barcelona have reportedly identified Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic as a potential option to bolster their midfield department in the upcoming transfer window.
According to a report from Catalan publication SPORT, Barcelona are looking to reinforce their midfield in the January transfer window with Inter Milan ace Marcelo Brozovic emerging as a target for the La Liga heavyweights.
Brozovic signed for Inter Milan in the January transfer window of 2015 but spent the next eighteen months on loan at Dinamo Zagreb before joining up with the Italians in the summer of 2016. Ever since, the 28-year-old has been a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for the Nerazzurri, racking up 251 appearances in which he has 25 goals and 33 assists.
One of the most reliable central midfielders in Europe, Brozovic was an integral part of Inter Milan’s Serie a title triumph last season and has started the new season strongly as well. However, his future has become a topic of intense speculation ahead of the new year as the midfielder is in the final year of his contract with the Nerazzurri.
As a result, a number of top clubs across Europe have been sniffing around Brozovic’s situation. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have been credited with an interest while Chelsea are said to be making a ‘serious approach’ for the 28-year-old as well. Now, it seems like Barcelona, too, have entered the picture with the Catalans looking to bolster their midfield.
Barcelona were intent on securing a new central midfielder during the summer transfer window, with Georginio Wijnaldum having been their top target. A move, however, did not materialise as the Dutchman ended up joining Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after the French giants offered him a better contract.
Manager Ronald Koeman, however, remains keen on adding another midfielder to his ranks in January. Considering how over-reliant Barcelona have been on Frenkie de Jong and Pedri over the past year and the fact that they have had to use teenager Gavi so regularly this season indicates that they could do with more quality depth in the middle of the park.
Brozovic, to that end, has emerged as a potential option. The Croatian’s versatility in midfield means he could even be considered as a potential long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets as well. The fact that his contract runs out at the end of the season means that the 28-year-old would be available in a cut-price deal in January.
So, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona do decide to act on their interest in Brozovic at the turn of the year or decide to look elsewhere, with Tanguy Ndombele of Tottenham Hotspur also an option.
