According to Mundo Deportivo, Gvardiol and Bastoni are Barcelona's options for strengthening their center-back position.
Reports indicate that Barcelona is still planning for next season's transfer market. While it's too early to finalize any signings, some of the team's needs are becoming clear. One of these, given the current squad, is the need to strengthen the center-back position.
Two specific examples are worth noting in this regard: Araújo and Christensen. Araújo had to pause his career due to mental health issues; Christensen's contract expires on June 30, 2026, and the club will not renew it given his current salary. Therefore, the sporting management is closely monitoring the transfer market and clearly recognizes that ideally, they need to secure at least one high-profile center-back target.
According to Mundo Deportivo, based on the club's "ideal profile," the players most favored by Barcelona and capable of solving the team's center-back problems in the next four to five years are: Gvardiol (23 years old, Manchester City) and Bastoni (26 years old, Inter Milan).
Admittedly, both players are expensive, and Barcelona has not yet returned to the "1:1" salary fair play rule. However, under a hypothetical scenario—where the club returns to a state where it can register players without restrictions, something that a top club like Barcelona should have achieved next summer—Gvardiol and Bastoni would become clear transfer targets. Barcelona has repeatedly emphasized that it hopes to complete all Financial Fair Play-related "work" before next summer.
Both players meet Barcelona's requirements: left-footed center-backs who can also play full-back; possessing good ball distribution ability; rich experience despite not being too old; familiar with high-level competition; willing to take the step to join a top club like Barcelona; and, on the contract level, able to make Barcelona's offer seriously considered by their respective clubs under suitable conditions. As for Gvardiol and Bastoni, both contracts expire in 2028, meaning that by 2026, their respective clubs will have to consider contract renewals, and if an agreement cannot be reached, they will need to assess whether to sell them.
Of all the candidates, Gvardiol best fits Barcelona's technical needs as a center-back, despite Manchester City's historical reluctance to sell key players. If Guardiola leaves Manchester City next summer, it could positively impact Barcelona's interests, as it would usher in a new era for the City squad. Manchester City acquired Gevadiol for €90 million in 2022, and the Croatian defender is currently valued at €70 million on Transfermarkt; Bastoni, on the other hand, is valued at €80 million.
Barcelona continues to closely monitor the center-back market. Players like Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund) and Pau Torres (Aston Villa) have received some recognition, but not enough to warrant a full-fledged transfer push. The club also has information on players whose contracts are expiring, such as Guéhi (Crystal Palace) and Konaté (Liverpool), but internally believes they are not significantly superior to Eric Garcia in terms of performance.
Furthermore, Gerard Martin's current high level of performance cannot be ignored; he has the potential to establish himself as a regular starter in the future. However, given the continued uncertainty, the club must prepare in advance.