FC Barcelona has identified Aymeric Laporte and Cristian Romero as its top targets to reinforce a central defense that lost a key piece when Inigo Martinez departed for Al-Nassr earlier this year. Both defenders featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The pursuit, reported by Spanish outlet Sport, reflects manager Hansi Flick’s determination to rebuild the backline while Barcelona continues navigating financial constraints.
The targets and what they bring
Laporte, currently under contract with Athletic Bilbao through 2028, is viewed as a natural stylistic fit for Barcelona’s system. His left-footed distribution, a trait Barcelona has historically valued in its center-backs, makes him an appealing option to slot into a possession-heavy setup. His familiarity with several Barcelona players from international duty is considered an additional bonus for integration purposes.
Romero has been one of the Premier League’s most aggressive and commanding defenders at Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentine reportedly favors a move to La Liga and has signaled a desire to leave Spurs. Tottenham has reportedly set a minimum asking price of £43 million for the defender.
