A report from the Spanish newspaper 'Sport' revealed that Barcelona is intensively seeking to sign a new central defender during the upcoming summer, after the first months of the season showed the team's heavy reliance on defender Iñigo Martínez, who left a difficult-to-fill void after his departure.

The newspaper clarified that coach Hans Flick tested several defensive options, starting from Koubarsi to Eric García, who are considered the first choices to occupy the main defensive position, but the club continues to monitor the transfer market in search of a left-footed defender capable of leading the backline as Martínez used to do.

Among the names studied by Barcelona's management, Nico Schlotterbeck, the 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund player, stands out as the top candidate, distinguished by his precise left foot and intelligent positioning, and is favored by Flick to be paired with Koubarsi. Also notable is Gonzalo Inácio, the 24-year-old Sporting Lisbon player, known for his high physical abilities and speed, while Marc Guehi, the 25-year-old Crystal Palace player, represents a valuable market opportunity with his contract expiring next summer.

The newspaper also points out that Barcelona is monitoring Taïlé Taïté, the 17-year-old Nantes player, a young defender who has shown great physical potential despite his young age, and Upamecano, the 27-year-old Bayern Munich player, who has extensive experience in the Bundesliga and excels in one-on-one duels and ball progression from the back. He is considered a possible option if the right market opportunity arises.

The report confirms that the Catalan club seeks to ensure strengthening the defense line with a defender capable of completing play-building from the back and leading on the field, to guarantee the team's technical stability before the start of the next season, amid close monitoring of all movements of potential signings.