Joan Laporta wants to sign Arsenal target at Barcelona in January - Reports

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is aiming to utilize the January transfer window to bolster the squad, as per a report from Spanish outlet El Nacional. The top priority for the Barca supremo is Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres, who has been in red hot form this season.

Notably, the Catalan outfit are currently facing a tough situation with Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. On one hand, the club was trying to put an end to the registration issues with Olmo and Victor. However, the RFEF and La Liga have not agreed to allow the license requested by the club. On the other, Gyokeres remains a player who is admired by Laporta and someone he is keen on bringing to the club.

At this moment, Gyokeres is enjoying the form of his life, having scored 30 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions so far this season. Premier League side Arsenal have shown interest in him too. Although Barcelona share a good relationship with Sporting, the Swedish forward having numerous suitors could make the signing more expensive.

In order to bag the signature of Gyokeres, Barcelona would need to offload or rather sell to be precise, some of their existing players. Players namely Ansu Fati, Eric Garcia or even Frenkie de Jong could be offloaded if Barcelona receive appropriate offers for them.

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Barcelona keeping tab on other forwards too

In case the Catalan giants fail to land Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres, they can target Rafael Leao from AC Milan, the report from El Nacional suggests. Leao is someone whom Laporta himself is interested in.

Moreover, speaking from a tactical point of view, Hansi Flick would ideally be interested in Leao. He can operate both as a left winger and also a centre forward, adding versatility to the contingent.

However, it won't be easy for Barcelona to woo Rafael Leao as convincing Milan to let go of their top star is in itself a tough act. The Portuguese forward, meanwhile, had shared concerns to his inner circle about certain contractual promises not being kept by the club. His release clause is quite high too, but Laporta is reportedly looking for ways in which the cost can be lowered. And that includes adding players in the transfer too.

After having made a strong start to the season, Hansi Flick's side have stuttered. Initially, they were at the top of the La Liga table. However now, they sit third, behind league leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Atletico Madrid.

They play their next league fixture on Saturday, January 18, against Getafe, a game Flick & co. will look to get back to winning ways.