Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has not ruled out the club signing a centre-back during the forthcoming winter transfer window.
Barcelona’s winning run this season ended with successive defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. They return to La Liga action against Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in the 11th round of the season.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference, Flick was asked whether Barcelona would strengthen in central defence.
“I spoke about this when the transfer window opened and said that we are always looking for what is best for the team and for ways to improve it,” he said, as reported by AS.
“We will see what happens. We still have a few weeks before the winter transfer window opens. We discuss many things every day with Deco, Bojan and members of my coaching staff. If we can do something, perhaps we will.”
Flick rejected the idea that defensive problems should be blamed solely on the back four, saying the entire team must contribute without the ball.
“In the end, defending is not only the responsibility of the defensive line. The forwards also take part in the defensive process. Everyone is responsible for it,” he said.
The German said Barcelona must also be more careful in possession, after losing the ball too frequently in their defeat by Real Madrid.
“First of all, we must not give the ball away so easily. We lost possession a few times against Real Madrid, and that is not good. It happens to us regularly, and we have to play with more intelligence and concentration,” he added.
He also highlighted the need for greater awareness inside the penalty area.
“When we defend in the box, it is also important to monitor the opponents properly, and we did not do that either. We need to improve these aspects,” said Flick.
“We train for them, keep them in mind and discuss them with the players.”
Flick also addressed Lamine Yamal’s failure to win the Ballon d’Or, with Harry Kane taking the award.
“Harry Kane also deserved to win it. You know my opinion about Lamine. I believe he has the level required to win this award. I have told him that, and I have told the team,” said Flick.
He added that Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi should also have won the Kopa Trophy after an outstanding campaign and an impressive World Cup.
“However, what I see and feel is that I am extremely proud of Yamal. His reaction was good, and in training I can see that he is highly focused. That is how champions behave,” Flick said.
“I am very happy that he is taking this approach and showing this mentality. We accept the result, and I am pleased this matter is now over so that we can concentrate on issues that are very important to us.”
