Friday, 24th January, 2014
Barcelona will look make up for missing out on some high-profile defenders this season by signing Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio.
The Catalans were unsuccessful in luring names such as Thiago Silva, David Luiz, and Mats Hummels, despite attempting negotiations.
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And according to Catalan daily Sport, the focus has now shifted to someone arguably more accessible in Fazio, contracted at Sevilla until 2018.
The 26-year-old, once a Liverpool target, is understood to have a release clause of €10m, something well within reach of Barcelona's coffers.
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In addition, Barcelona are always sweating over the fitness of long-standing centre-back Carles Puyol, who is again a doubt for the weekend due to a leg injury.
Barcelona recently gave Marc Batra a contract extension, but the rest of their central defenders are getting on in age, with Fazio providing a healthy balance of experience and youth.
Barcelona are currently in transition with president Sandro Rosell yesterday stepping down from his post, and any positive transfer news will be welcomed by fans.
Rosell resigned due to overwhelming speculation about an alleged misappropriation of funds in the transfer of Neymar to the club last summer.
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