Barca 'searching for next Yaya Toure' & 'monitoring Newcastle Guimaraes'

Barcelona are searching for their next defensive midfielder that they hope will be similar to Yaya Toure in a bid to strengthen the club's first-team, according to reports.

The Spanish giants are targeting future investment, but are unlikely to spend heavily in the upcoming January transfer window due to their lavish summer spending.

Xavi's side have struggled in LaLiga this season, currently sitting third in the league standings behind leaders Real Madrid and surprise package Girona.

Barcelona believe problems in midfield and the lack of a star player that is able to operate as a defensive pivot are largely to blame, with the club hoping to unearth a player with similar attributes to Toure.

The now-retired midfielder played for both Barcelona and Manchester City during his prime, but called time on his established playing career six-years ago.

Toure has moved into coaching since permanently leaving the pitch and is currently working as an assistant to Roberto Mancini with the Saudi Arabian national team.

However, previous employers at the Camp Nou haven't forgotten about the Ivorian and targets with a similar playing style to the 40-year-old are being targeted, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Newcastle playmaker Bruno Guimaraes has admirers at the Catalan club, while the likes of Monaco's Yousuf Fofana and Everton's Amadou Onana are also being monitored.

There is an additional belief within Barcelona that La Masia academy players could be a future problem but both Pau Prim and Marc Bernal aren't viewed as immediate solutions.

Toure was loved by Barca supporters for his ability to transform defence into attack, while also chipping in with vital goals from midfield.

He spent three-years in Spain playing alongside Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta having initially joined as a relatively unknown talent during Frank Rijkaard's reign as manager.

Toure made 118 appearances for the team before going on to enjoy a hugely successful career in England where he won three Premier League titles with Man City.

Sergio Busquets occupied the long-term midfield pivot role for Barcelona but left Spain in the summer to join Messi at MLS side Inter Miami as he enters the final years of his career.