Barcelona are considering a January move for Zenit Saint Petersburg defender Branislav Ivanovic, according to El Mundo Deportivo.
The report claims the Blaugrana are intent on strengthening their defensive ranks following injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti, while Ivanovic also offers cover at full-back.
The Catalan giants are said to have acknowledged their number one defensive targets – namely Ajax’s Matthjis de Ligt – are unattainable in January, so they are looking elsewhere.
Former Chelsea defender Ivanovic, 34, could join the club on loan or on a short-term permanent deal from the Russian club, whom he joined in January 2017.
The same media outlet previously reported Getafe’s Djene Dakonam and Unai Nunez of Athletic Club Bilbao were other targets on Barca’s radar.
Ramon Planes, Barcelona’s technical director, originally signed Djene for Getafe from Sint-Truidense and the Togolese defender’s contract contains a €35m release clause.
Nunez made 33 La Liga appearances for Athletic last season but has seen game-time fall under new Coach Eduardo Berizzo, featuring just once.
