5 players Barcelona should target in the January transfer window

#4 Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)

Dayot Upamecano is a worthy successor for Gerard Pique

RB Leipzig's 19-year-old defender has already taken the German Bundesliga by storm thanks to his impressive displays in the heart of defence. The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, and AC Milan have been in hot pursuit of the Frenchman.

Javier Mascherano is aging and Thomas Vermaelen has seen his Blaugrana career blighted with injuries, which puts Ernesto Valverde in a desperate position to sign a back-up in defence. Upamecano might be looked at as a backup for Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti. However, the Frenchman has been way better than the duo at the Camp Nou in the league this season.

The teenager has proven to be a be a better tackler, notching 1.91 tackles per game in contrast to Pique's 1 and Umtiti's 0.50. Upamecano also averages 3.09 interceptions while Pique and Umtiti make 0.67 and 1.75 interceptions per game.

The Frenchman is also better in the air compared to both. He has won 2.82 aerial duels while the duo has an average 1.89 and 1 per game.

Barcelona won't be able to use him in the Champions League this season since he has already appeared for RB Leipzig in the competition. However, the statistical dominance of Dayot Upamecano should be enough for Valverde to shell out cash to sign him, thereby safeguarding the Blaugrana's future in defence.