Hansi Flick has lost his patience, the blaugrana coach doesn't hide his frustration with the lack of reinforcements in defense. He knows perfectly well that the room for maneuver in this transfer window is practically nonexistent (nulo), but he also knows that the backline needs fresh air. Iñigo's absence has set off all the alarms, and the German coach has already told Joan Laporta that he doesn't want any more excuses, he wants a center-back for January.
Flick's initial plan was clear, he wanted Jonathan Tah as a free agent to strengthen the defense without compromising the budget. However, the German center-back took another path and ended up signing for Bayern Munich. That move not only left the culé club without its preferred target, but also forced the club to reopen the file of possible signings for the position.
Flick doesn't want to improvise and is closely following several options, even within LaLiga. Among those names, one stands out strongly: Loïc Badé, Sevilla's center-back, is highly regarded by Flick. His youth, his physical ability, and his great experience at the elite level make him a very attractive profile to strengthen a defense that has lost quite a bit of strength.
Defensive hole
The German coach believes that Badé would fit immediately into the system and could provide the performance that Iñigo Martínez left behind. The Basque player, after being one of the great leaders of the blaugrana club, left the culé team to sign for Al Nassr. Meanwhile, Joan Laporta knows firsthand his coach's demands.
The president has already given him his word that in January they will try to close a top-level signing for the heart of the backline. However, at Camp Nou everyone knows that Financial Fair Play remains a difficult barrier to overcome. Flick, despite understanding the financial limitations, doesn't intend to back down: he wants a center-back and he wants one as soon as possible.
Rising tension
Internal tension is rising, every day that passes makes it clear that the squad needs a high-caliber reinforcement at the back. Defensive errors, injuries, and the lack of reliable alternatives have turned the backline into the team's weakest point. Flick fears that this fragility could end up costing vital points in LaLiga and in the Champions League.
The January transfer window will be decisive, Barça will have to move quickly and intelligently to secure a signing that satisfies its coach. Loïc Badé is just one of the options on the table, but not the only one. Hansi Flick has already made it clear that he won't settle for half-measures; if the club wants to aim for everything, bringing in a center-back is mandatory.