Barcelona are on the lookout for a centre-back, says Josep Maria Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club are on the lookout for a centre-back, although they could also look to the B team to strengthen their defence.

Injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti have left Barcelona short at the back with Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique their only fit senior centre-backs.

The club have already been linked with a host of defenders ahead of the January transfer window including Toby Alderweireld, Branislav Ivanovic, Matthijs de Ligt and Dejan Lovren.

Meanwhile, there have also been reports Ernesto Valverde could call up Jorge Cuenca or Chumi from the B team.

Here’s what Bartomeu has had to say.

“We’ll be on the lookout for a centre-back in the market,” he said. ”It’s bad luck that two of the four we have have gotten injured.

”We have a B team and this could translate into an opportunity for them. We’ll have to see what happens.”

Source | Marca

Vermaelen has been ruled out for six weeks meaning he should return at the start of December, although his injury record hardly inspires confidence. Umtiti’s injury is perhaps more worrying, as there’s still no clear idea of when he will be back.