Gundogan? Barça will have to turn to transfer market in January
Barcelona's sporting director Robert Fernandez admitted to SPORT recently that the club are looking into strengthening in the January transfer window after Pedro's departure for Chelsea. Now, after the serious injury, it's almost certain that Barça will have to sign in January. If the don't it would leave them in a risky position in the second and decisive half of the season.
Keeping in mind that, in the best possible scenario, Rafinha will not play again until April, even the inclusion of Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan in January doesn't seem enough to bulk out a squad aspring to win everything. Barça were lucky with injuries last season, but that is not proving true so far this year.
Therefore, and remembering Fernandez's words, the most logical situation is that the club will sign. Until now, the majority of players interesting Barça have been attackers -- Nolito, Yarmolenko and Feghoulo -- but Rafinha's injury may shift the focus to midfield.
Right now, Ilkay Gundogan would be the most interesting option. The Borussia Dortumund midfielder, who has been on Barça's radar for a while, signed a new deal with the German club this summer. His desire to play for Barça and the lure of the Champions League -- Dortmund are in the Europa League -- could be enough for the Catalan side to convince him to make the move.
