5 players Barcelona should target in the January transfer window

#3 Carles Soler (Valencia)

Carlos Soler has been better than Andres Iniesta this season

Carles Soler has been one of the brightest players plying his trade in La Liga season. In the rejuvenated Valencia under Marcelino, the Spanish prodigy has served as the creative lynchpin for forwards Simone Zaza and Rodrigo Moreno.

Valencia have used the 4-4-2 system this season which is similar to what Barcelona have deployed on occasion. With Paco Alcacer and Andres Iniesta on the flanks, Barcelona haven't been very effective, which is why Soler's acquisition could prove to be a major coup for the Catalans in January.

Deployed on the right flank by Marcelino, the Spanish wonderkid can function equally well in left and central midfield. A statistical comparison to the Barca midfielders has seen Soler come out on top in certain areas.

Alcacer and Iniesta have notched just 1 assist among themselves, while Soler has 4 to his name in the league. The Spaniard has created 1.23 chances per game - far better than Iniesta's 0.91 and Alcacer's 0.60. Soler has also notched 0.92 key passes per game in contrast to the 0.91 and 0.60 by Iniesta and Alcacer respectively.

Soler's acquisition will provide service for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to score. Also, he could replace Iniesta as the chief playmaker in the years to come.

But the Catalans need to up their ante if they plan to poach Soler with Manchester United already in hot pursuit of the talented youngster.