Barcelona keeping tabs on soon-to-be-free Premier League midfielder | OneFootball

A recent report from Diario SPORT has offered a comprehensive update on Barcelona’s plans in the upcoming January transfer window.

With just 23 days before the window opens, the club are keeping close tabs on the future of some of the top players in the market. One of the players shortlisted by Barça is Jorginho.

The Italian has emerged as a sought-after prospect in the market as his current contract at Chelsea expires at the end of the season. Although the Blues have started talks over a potential contract extension, they have yet to reach any agreement.

This has put Barcelona on red alert as the Catalans look to shore up their midfield unit. Jorginho, after all, is regarded as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League, having enjoyed immense success since joining the club from Napoli.

The report suggests Barcelona even had first contacts over the possibility of signing Jorginho in the near future. The club have identified the Italian international as the ideal long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets.

The veteran midfielder’s current contract at Camp Nou expires at the end of the season. Although Xavi desperately wants to extend the deal with Busquets, there are indications that the player might end up moving to Major League Soccer.

If everything goes well, Barcelona might want to try and reach a pre-contract agreement with Jorginho. The Italian could then become an official member of the Barça squad from the start of the 2023/24 campaign and serve as a direct replacement for Busquets.

But in the immediate future, they are looking for other options in the market as well, including defensive stalwart Inigo Martinez, who is facing an uncertain future at Athletic Club.