Pogba, Kondogbia, Gundogan: Luis Enrique asks Barcelona to get him a midfielder

One of the keys to Luis Enrique accepting a contract extension was that he would have a significant role in Barcelona's signings. Before going on holiday, once his renewal was signed, he authorised the deal to bring in Aleix Vidal, who will have minutes as a right-back and a right midfielder. On top of Vidal, Enrique has only asked for one more signing. 

He wants a midfield organiser for the month of January who is capable of filling a hole left by Xavi. The first candidate was Ilkay Gundogan, but with the alternatives available, the interest has fallen on that front. For 2016, Luis Enrique wants to add muscle to the middle of the pitch and is enthusiastic at the possibility of signing Paul Pogba (Juventus), with Geoffrey Kondogbia (Monaco) an option if the former proves impossible. 

Plans for next season on a sporting level and very clear for Luis Enrique. In fact, he didn't take part in any meetings until after the Champions League final and he demanded a higher level of professionalism from the sporting structure. Josep Maria Bartomeu agreed and assured him he would add a sporting director to do the ground work, but with Enrique making the final decisions. He would control everything. From the first team to the academy. 

Luis Enrique's first aim was a right-back. He did not accept any of the proposals put to him by the technical commission and asked for Aleix Vidal, who Barcelona then signed. He also gave the OK for Dani Alves to renew his contract. With that position solved, he turned his attention to midfield. A midfielder with a good touch who is available in January. A footballer who is already familiar with international football. This demand had nothing to do with the possibility of signing Pogba in the summer of 2016. 

Knowing the desire of Enrique, Barça negotiated the signing of Gundogan, who even passed a medical test with the club. Everything was tied down, but Luis Enrique asked for time to take a final desicion on the investment. There are other options on the table. Gundogan could still sign, but he will not sign until after elections if he does, while it's most possible a deal would be done in January, when he has just six months to run on his contract with Borussia Dortmund. 

The unknown, in this scenario, is whether the German will wait, or if he will accept one of the offers he has had from other clubs. In any case, Barça have talks at an advanced stage with several players that Luis Enrique likes and who are available for a reasonable price. The objective is someone who can go straight into the side and help the team from January on, which is when things start to heat up. 

Luis Enrique has also authorised the move for Pogba. He believes the French international is one of very few players that would improve the current squad, but understands the cost and the interest of other teams complicate the move. For that reason, Kondogbia is being considered as a valid alternative. 

The Monaco man has grown a lot and has already played in La Liga, with Sevilla. He would cost around 25 million euros and would add muscle and quality to Barça's midfield. 

But it's Pogba who the coaches at the club like. And not just because of what they saw from him in the Champions League final. Luis Enrique and his team have analysed him a lot and are clear that he would adapt perfectly to the side. They want him to play either on the right or the left of the midfield three, depending on the rival.

Pogba would bring strength and also a different style to the club, although he would not be able to join until the summer of 2016. 

Luis Enrique is satisfied with his squad and doesn't have any doubts about next season -- with the right-back position sorted and work already underway on the midfield position -- and he believes the team can evolve even more. He doesn't want any forwards and has not asked for a central defender, even though Marc Bartra could leave. Enrique has a lot of confidence in Thomas Vermaelen, who arrived last summer.