​Barcelona have shifted their focus to strengthening the defensive line after a substantial makeover of their attacking corps. According to journalist Achraf Ben Ayad, the La Liga champions are keeping a watchful eye on bolstering their backline as they approach the new season. Earlier today, reports emerged claiming that Barcelona have successfully reached an agreement to sign highly regarded Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu from Club Brugge. While the anticipated official confirmation of Bisiwu underscores Barca’s commitment to recruiting top-tier young talent, it follows a spree of heavy investments in attack. The club previously completed a breathtaking €70 million deal to acquire Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and also secured an agreement to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi. Adeyemi is set to join from Dortmund, reinforcing a front line that already has firepower.
Meanwhile, Barcelona continue to push forward negotiations for another high-profile attacking target: Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. With the frontline markedly reinforced, sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick are now directing their attention toward strengthening the backline and addressing a critical squad issue. Despite boasting a statistically solid defensive unit last season, questions about depth have prompted the board to rethink their transfer strategy. In addition to securing Joao Cancelo on a permanent €10 million deal from Al-Hilal, Barca’s senior leadership has largely steered clear of elite defensive acquisitions this summer.
Flick’s plan leans heavily on the versatility of existing players such as Gerard Martin and Eric Garcia, but internally the coaching staff remains keen on adding an elite left-sided centre-back to ensure long-term structural stability. To address this, Barcelona are now exploring the market for additional defensive reinforcements. The club’s improved finances mean they can sanction a major bid if the right profile becomes available before the transfer window closes. Cristian Romero has been floated as a potential option for Barcelona, while Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan had been linked in the past, only for Barça to walk away from that pursuit. More recently, names like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur have been tied to interest from the Catalan side. There has also been tentative interest in RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, though a move may prove challenging due to his asking price. Luka Vuskovic had also been on Barcelona’s radar but is now set to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion. With so many potential targets and shifting priorities, all eyes are on who Barcelona will ultimately pursue as they seek to reinforce their defense.
As the window progresses, Barcelona’s strategic emphasis on defensive depth could redefine their summer business, matching their aggressive approach in attack with a more balanced squad capable of challenging on all fronts in the upcoming season.