Barcelona will be forced to purchase a centre back to replace Gerard Pique in the January transfer window, Marca reports.

The Spaniard was forced off in Barca’s defeat to Atletico Madrid when he accidentally collided with Correa and limped off the pitch.

The Blaugranas already have 18-year-old Ansu Fati out for a while, with his position having many options including Messi, Dembele, Pedri and a few.

The central defensive department has limited options and according to Marca, Barca were already planning to strengthen the spot by looking to bring Eric Garcia from Manchester City, whose contract expires at the end of the season after failing to sign an extension.

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The Catalan club will be unwilling to spend big on a defender due to their current financial situations, having asked players to take a pay cut. The management committee who are in temporal charge of the team since the resignation of Josep Bartomeu are not able to spend big money in any area of the club until a new president is elected.

This is because deals would have to be endorsed by the incoming president, therefore, if a big name signing is what is required, then the club would have to wait after the election set on the 24 of January, which will be in the closing stage of the window.

Barca would either have to acquire a player on loan or rely on Samuel Umtiti to resolve their defensive crises.