FC Barcelona had a very good summer transfer window, in which they brought in up to seven new players, and the club’s good work in the market was rewarded at the start of the season, when the team racked up an impressive 11 wins in their first 11 games.
However, the Blaugranes have seen their winning run come to a rather sorry end with defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and [Real Madrid](https://barcanewsnetwork.com/cubarsi-8-0-yamal-5-5-fc-barcelona-1-2-real-madrid-player-ratings/), and these two games have brought attention to one of the team that was left unaddressed during the summer, i.e., the center of the defense.
The Catalans were looking likely to strengthen this area during the summer, but ultimately decided not to do so, as Hansi Flick opted for the continuity of Andreas Christensen, with Gerard Martin proving to be a reliable center-back.
However, with these two losses, [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20261029/1004244678/barca-activa-operacion-central.html) reports that Barcelona are looking to reinforce their backline during the winter with an immediate impact signing. The report mentions four players who might interest the Blaugrana club, but any signings would be contingent on their finances and player departures.
The dream signing for the Catalans in this scenario would be the Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol. However, signing him would almost be an impossibility, as he renewed his contract till 2031 last summer. The only seemingly possible scenario in which Barcelona can sign him is if Manchester City are penalized for their financial irregularities, forcing them to sell their star players.
The Inter Milan center-back Alessandro Bastoni could be another alluring option for them. However, the Nerazzurri would also be not too keen to lose such an important player in the middle of the season, especially as he has a contract till 2028.
On the other hand, the Manchester United center-back Lisandro Martinez has his contract expiring next summer, which can force the Premier League side to sell him during the winter. He could be another appealing option for Barcelona, but his injury history could be a concern. Lastly, the Real Betis defender Natan could be another option for the Blaugranes.