Flick requests defensive signing in January

Barcelona manager Hans Flick has given the green light to sign a new defender during the winter transfer window to compensate for the defensive shortfall caused by injuries, alongside the club's preparations to renew the contracts of three players.

According to "TEAMtalk", citing the Spanish newspaper "Sport", injuries to Erik Garcia, Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, and Xavi Espart have increased the team's need for defensive reinforcements, especially after negative results against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

FC Barcelona may opt to loan a defender instead of making a permanent purchase due to the limited financial fair play margin available to the club, which ranges between 3 and 4 million euros.

Meanwhile, the club is working on renewing contracts for Marc Bernal, Brian Fariñas, and Gerard Martin. They have agreed with Bernal to extend his contract until 2031, while they are also preparing to extend Fariñas' contract until 2031.

FC Barcelona is planning to extend Gerard Martin's contract for three more seasons, as he has become a key player in the team's defense alongside Pau Cubarsí.