Transfer Market Scouting LaLiga

Luis Enrique: Barcelona are considering signing cover for Aleix Vidal

Villarreal defender denies Barcelona contact

Aleix Vidal's ankle injury may be a serious blow to Barcelona with the business end of the season fast approaching, but the silver lining is that a replacement can be brought in.

Ahead of their Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain, Luis Enrique has confirmed the club's intention to go into the market in search of a new recruit.

Given the LaLiga rules that such a player must either play for a Spanish side in the top two tiers or be a free agent, such as Martin Caceres or Maicon, we've listed the 10 genuine possibilities that Barcelona can bring in to cover for Vidal.

Joao Cancelo

A target for the Catalans even before this crisis unfolded, the 22-year-old is first-choice at Valencia and will be a real prize catch given the likely difficulty in teasing him away from Estadio Mestalla. Los Che would demand a big fee for Cancelo, which could upset the Azulgrana budget sheet.

Oscar de Marcos

Another option who could slot into the Barcelona team without issue, the Athletic Club man has only just returned from injury and subsequently reclaimed his spot in Ernesto Valverde's XI. As such, a move would be very tough to pull off with the Bilbao team also in the Europa League.

Mariano

Perhaps more of an offensive wing-back that a true defender, the Brazilian has a 20 million euro release clause and Sevilla have no interest in allowing him to leave to a title rival. That said, Barcelona did take a strong look at Mariano after Dani Alves left the club last summer.

Hugo Mallo

A steady option at right-back, Mallo recently extended his Celta Vigo contract to June 2021 having been made captain. After eight years in Galicia, the defender might be tempted into a change of scenery.

Mario Gaspar

Fran Escriba has overseen a rapid progression for Gaspar at Villarreal this season, the 26-year-old now tied down until 2023 having nailed down his spot in the starting XI with a newfound maturity to his game.

Jonny

Luis Enrique will remember the Celta player from his time at Estadio Balaidos, and as a solid option both technically and physically, the Blaugrana may be tempted to fork out the 14m euro release clause in Jonny's contract.

Ander Capa

Just 2m euros would be enough to bring in the Eibar full-back and while a fundamental player at Estadio Ipurua, the 25-year-old could consider himself ready for a jump to Catalunya.

Roberto Rosales

Malaga have made Rosales their first-choice right-back ever since his arrival three years ago and with good ability in both defence and attack, he represents another less expensive option.

Alejandro Berenguer

Perhaps a risky signing given Osasuna's struggle at the foot of LaLiga, the young full-back is a mainstay in the Pamplona club's starting XI and has plenty of promise.

Antonio Rukavina

Linked with Barcelona before the January window, Rukavina represents an experienced replacement who is also, in theory, available for a move from Villarreal at a decent price.