Barcelona could swoop in for Arsenal defender William Saliba if they fail in their bid to bring Jules Kounde to the club this summer.
The French defender spent last season on loan at Marseille, where he was included in Ligue 1's Team of the Season and named the league's Young Player of the Year, as he helped the club to a second-place finish behind PSG.
Saliba, 21, is now back at Arsenal and seen as an important part of Mikel Arteta's squad for the upcoming campaign, despite not yet making a single competitive appearance for the club.
Yet according to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Saliba tops a list of alternative defensive options for Barcelona, who could make a bid if they fail to land number one target Jules Kounde.
As well as the Arsenal star, Barca are also tracking Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez and Roma’s Roger Ibanez.
Saliba signed for Arsenal in a £27milllion deal back in 2019 but has since spent three separate loan spells away from the club in Ligue 1.
Sevilla's Kounde remains the preferred option for Barcelona, but Xavi and Co are aware they no longer lead the race for the French international's signature.
Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign Kounde and have tabled a £55million bid for his services, which is being discussed by the French club.
However, Barcelona are said to be the player's preferred destination and he could hold out for a move to the Nou Camp.
Barcelona, who this week finally sealed a deal to bring Robert Lewandowski to the club, are also plotting a second raid on the Premier League after bidding for Aston Villa's young star Carney Chukwuemeka.
The Catalans are frontrunners to sign the midfielder ahead of PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle, who are all watching the situation.
Chukwuemeka is yet to sign a new deal at Villa Park and the teenager could move to a club in Europe for a compensation fee of around £300,000 to £400,000 in a year's time. However, Villa have put a £20million price tag on his head for any interested parties willing to make a move this summer.