Barcelona identify Danish attacker as prime January target

Spanish giants Barcelona have reportedly highlighted Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen as their prime target for the winter transfer window. The Denmark international has been a revelation for Spurs in recent seasons, and his progress has impressed the La Liga club’s hierarchy.

According to Don Balon, the 25-year-old has been earmarked as the number one target for Barcelona in the New Year despite being linked with both Philippe Coutinho and Mesut Ozil of late. Ernesto Valverde’s side failed with multiple attempts to pursue Coutinho from Liverpool in the summer, whilst Ozil has recently emerged as an option due to his reluctance to extend his Arsenal deal beyond the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the Catalan giants believe that the Danish footballer still has unfulfilled potential in his kitty unlike Coutinho or Ozil – both of whom they believe to have approached near to the peak of their individual abilities.

The news will surely come as music to the ears of Barcelona superstar Andres Iniesta, who inked a lifetime contract with Barcelona earlier in October. As per Don Balon, the Spain international is against a move for Coutinho due to the Reds’ hefty valuation while he wants the club to avoid signing Ozil at all costs due to his former association with fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Nevertheless, Barca are unlikely to be handed Eriksen with ease with Spurs having previously ruled out the prospect of selling their playmaker at any cost. The Dane has formed a brilliant partnership alongside Dele Alli and Harry Kane in the Spurs attack, and the Catalans could potentially find themselves in a roadblock in negotiations with the north London side.

Despite Neymar’s departure earlier in the summer, Barcelona have fared excellently in the Spanish top-flight, and they are currently four points ahead of second-placed Valencia. Real Madrid bossed over their El Clasico rivals during the Spanish Super Cup in August, but they face a fight to retain the title, having fallen eight points adrift after just 13 games into the season.

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