Barcelona Transfer Target To Fixed The Current Problem In The Squad In 2026

Barcelona’s "Finalized" Priority List for 2026/27 Revealed

Date: November 28, 2025

The Hansi Flick era at FC Barcelona is about to enter its next, crucial phase. After a season of assessing his squad, the German tactician, alongside Sporting Director Deco and the club's sports commission, has reportedly drawn a line in the sand. The experimentation phase is over; the "execution" phase has begun.

According to the latest reports from Mundo Deportivo’s Roger Torello, the blueprint for the 2026/27 season is finalized. The priority is clear, precise, and arguably overdue: a dominant centre-back, a lethal winger, and a successor for the centre-forward position.

While the attacking roles are generating plenty of speculation (with names like Rafael Leão and Viktor Gyokeres constantly swirling in the rumor mill), it is the defense where the club has seemingly done the most concrete homework. Flick’s "suicidal" high defensive line requires a very specific type of defender—fast, aggressive, and comfortable defending in open space.

Here is a deep dive into the five players currently on Barcelona’s radar and why they fit the "New Barca" profile.

1. Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP)

The Portuguese international has been a long-term obsession for Deco, and it’s easy to see why. As a left-footed centre-back, Inácio offers the rare ability to build play from the back with the precision of a midfielder. In Flick’s system, where the attack starts from the goalkeeper, Inácio’s distribution is world-class. His release clause is steep, but his profile is almost a perfect tactical fit for the left side of the defense.

2. Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

If Inácio is the artist, Murillo is the tank. The Brazilian has taken the Premier League by storm with his terrifying blend of physical power and surprising speed. He is a "recovery defender"—someone who can catch speedy attackers even when the defensive line is near the halfway line. For a team that plays as high up the pitch as Barca, Murillo is an insurance policy against counter-attacks.

3. Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

This is the "Hansi Flick Special." The German manager knows Schlotterbeck well. The Dortmund defender is aggressive, aerial dominant, and naturally left-footed. He embodies the Bundesliga style of defending: proactive and intense. He doesn't just wait for the attacker; he hunts them down. His familiarity with Flick’s demands makes him arguably the safest bet on this list.

4. Luiz Benedetti (Palmeiras)

The wildcard. At just 19 years old, Benedetti is the "market opportunity." Standing at 1.97m, he is a giant who dominates the air but possesses the technical quality expected of a Palmeiras academy graduate (the same academy that produced Endrick and Estevão). This would be a signing for the future—a low-cost, high-potential bet similar to the strategy used with Mika Faye or Ronald Araújo years ago.

5. Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)

The smartest potential business on the list. The English international is set to become a free agent in June, making him an incredibly attractive option for Barcelona’s strained finances. Guéhi is a leader, a proven Premier League captain, and a defender with exceptional reading of the game. Getting a player of his €50m+ market value for free would be a masterstroke by Deco.

While the defense is the immediate priority, the report’s mention of a "winger and centre-forward" signals the end of an era. With Robert Lewandowski managing his minutes and Raphinha often shifting roles, Barcelona needs fresh blood.

Whether it’s the dream of Rafael Leão to provide chaos on the left wing or the goal-scoring machine Viktor Gyokeres to take the torch from Lewandowski, one thing is certain: The summer of 2026 will not be a quiet one in Catalonia.

Hansi Flick has given his orders. Now, it’s up to Deco to make the numbers work.