Barcelona's search for defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window has seen them linked with a surprise move for ex-Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic.
Injuries to the likes of Samuel Umtitl and Thomas Vermaelen this season has left the La Liga champions short of options at centre-half, with Gerard Pique and summer signing from Sevilla Clement Lenglet the only real choices for Ernesto Valverde of late.
With clubs allowed to do business once again in the new year, the Catalan giants are expected to sign a defender in January.
Arsenal's fit again captain Laurent Koscielny was a named mooted a couple of weeks ago, as was Blues centre-back David Luiz, but it would appear that Barca are looking at another player with Premier League experience.
According to Goal , Barca's main priority in January is to sign a defender with the profile of a 'veteran' and it's understood that Ivanovic fits the profile and they are now considering a move for the 34-year-old.
This would be seen as a short-term option, with the club very much interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus target Matthijs De Ligt from Ajax in the summer.
Ivanovic was a first team regular for most of his Chelsea career and won three Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge in addition to the Champions League and Europa League plus three FA Cup wins and the League Cup before leaving to join Zenit St Petersburg in February 2017.
A right-back who is equally comfortable playing in the middle, the Serbia international scored 34 goals for the Blues during his nine years at the club with his extra-time winner against Napoli in 2012 the stand-out strike to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
They would go on to lift the trophy for the first time in their history against Bayern Munich after outfoxing Barcelona at the Camp Nou at the semi-final stage.
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