Barcelona’s hunt for centre-back cover has seen them turn to Liverpool and Croatia’s Dejan Lovren, according to reports.

Lovren, 29, could be made available for transfer this winter after he fell behind England starlet Joe Gomez in the race to partner peerless Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk. Prior to the international break, the Croatia international had only racked up 90 minutes of Premier League action.

Mundo Deportivo have stated that if further complications emerge about a long-term knee injury to France’s Samuel Umtiti, then Lovren could be approached.

This crisis has been increased by the thigh complaint picked up by Thomas Vermaelen in last week’s friendly between Belgium and Switzerland. He’s set to be sidelined for six weeks, meaning Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet are the only options currently available.