Football news - Barcelona president calls for defensive signings amid Matthijs de Ligt rumours

Updated 17/10/2018 at 09:40 GMT

There could be some new additions at Barcelona in January, according to the club's president.

Barcelona's Spanish defender Gerard Pique (L) talks to Barcelona's French defender Samuel Umtiti during the Spanish league football match between Real Valladolid and FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium in Valladolid on August 25, 2018

Image credit: Getty Images

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has this week addressed the club's injury crisis, saying that the solution could be solved by signings in January.

Tata Martino, Barcelona manager

Image credit: Getty Images

The Spanish side currently have central defenders Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen on the sidelines, leaving the club with just two recognised senior centre-backs.

World Cup

Lukaku fit for Belgium's World Cup as Origi misses out

10/11/2022 at 11:46

"Well, injuries happen all of the time in football, you have to deal with it," Bartomeu said. "These two centre-backs got injured so we are now a little thinner at this position.

"Even so, Gerard Pique and Lenglet are both there and ready to cover well."

And he added: