Barcelona draw up elite three-man shortlist to transform their defence - report | Barca Universal

"With that in mind, one name stands above the rest in terms of consensus across the sporting department. That name is Gleison Bremer. The Juventus defender has established himself as one of the most reliable centre-backs in European football, combining physical strength with excellent positional awareness. However, Juventus have no intention of letting him leave easily, and any deal would require a very high transfer fee. Given Barcelona's economic reality, this option is admired but extremely difficult."

"Because of that, the club are also studying more strategic alternatives. One of them is Piero Hincapie, a player who ticks several important boxes. The Bayer Leverkusen player, currently on loan at Arsenal, stands out for his speed, versatility, and intelligence. He can operate both as a centre-back and as a left-back, offering tactical flexibility that modern coaches value highly. At just 23 years old, Hincapie already has top-level experience but still offers room for growth and resale value."

"The third name on the shortlist is Nico Schlotterbeck. The Borussia Dortmund defender has already proven himself at the highest European level. Schlotterbeck has the character Barcelona look for in a defensive leader, but once again, the issue is cost. Borussia Dortmund value him highly, with an asking price believed to be between €50 million and €60 million. For Barcelona, everything will depend on their financial situation, as potential sales, wage adjustments, and improved revenue will play a decisive role."

Barcelona require a major defensive upgrade and prioritise signing a commanding centre-back who can organise the defence rather than a rotational option. Gleison Bremer stands as the sporting department’s preferred target due to physical strength and positional awareness, but Juventus would demand a very high fee that strains Barcelona’s finances. Alternatives include Piero Hincapie, a 23-year-old with speed, versatility and the ability to play centre-back or left-back offering tactical flexibility and resale potential, and Nico Schlotterbeck, a proven leader valued by Borussia Dortmund at roughly €50–60 million. Final decisions hinge on sales, wage adjustments and revenue improvements.

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