Everything Barca
Fansided

10 defenders Barcelona could sign as part of their overhaul

By Nishant Narayanan

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 15: Josep Maria Bartomeu attends a press presentation as Barcelona FC and Beko announce a sponsorship agreement, atCamp Nou Auditori 1899 on February 15, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Football Club Barcelona and Turkish company Beko signed a new sponsorship deal for the next 3 seasons, valued at 57 million euros. (Photo by Robert Marquardt/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 15: Josep Maria Bartomeu attends a press presentation as Barcelona FC and Beko announce a sponsorship agreement, atCamp Nou Auditori 1899 on February 15, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Football Club Barcelona and Turkish company Beko signed a new sponsorship deal for the next 3 seasons, valued at 57 million euros. (Photo by Robert Marquardt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Milan Skriniar and Leo Messi during the match between FC Barcelona between Inter,. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Milan Skriniar and Leo Messi during the match between FC Barcelona between Inter,. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Milan Skriniar (Centre-back) (Inter, 24, Value: €60M)

Milan Skriniar has been highly impressive for the Serie A side this season and is currently wanted by many European giants. Amidst interests from English clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, the two Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have reportedly claimed to be willing to make significant bids for the defender.

The 24-year-old joined Internazionale in 2017 from Sampdoria for a fee of roughly 28 million euros. Reports claim that Manchester City offered 55 million euros just after six months but the request was turned down. Inter Milan made the right choice as the defender is currently valued around €100m and has a promising future ahead of him.

The Slovakian’s current contract runs until 2023 and plays a vital part in Antonio Conte’s squad this season, having made 20 appearances across Serie A and Champions League. A move in January is unlikely due to the player’s status as the top defender in the Italian League and thus Inter would be reluctant to lose such a talent However a move next summer seems evident as many European giants line up to bid for the Slovakian.

Fiorentina's Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic (R) holds off Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo credit VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)
Fiorentina’s Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic (R) holds off Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo during the Italian Serie A football match Fiorentina vs Juventus on September 14, 2019 at the Artemio-Franchi stadium in Florence. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Nikola Milenkovic (Centre-back) (Fiorentina, 22, Value: €30M)

Nikola Milenkovic has made a name for himself in Serie A after breaking into Fiorentina’s first-team last season. The 22-year-old has proved to be a reliable talent who has great control over the ball. Viola’s manager Stefano Pioli has even played the youngster at the right-back position, proving that the Serbia international is a versatile defender with great technical ability.

The former Partizan defender is a wanted man in Europe with the likes of Manchester United keeping tabs on the youngster. The Italian club are ready to let go of the Serbian for a hefty price. Milenkovic would bring stability to the Barca defense and could be the permanent solution for the aging Spaniard, Gerard Pique. Nikola could also provide support from the right-back position which is another problematic area for the Catalan giants.