Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed that the club are on the lookout for a new centre-back, amid reports linking them with a move for Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt.

Injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti have left La Blaugrana light on defensive options. Vermaelen has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, while there is no timeline on a return for France star Umtiti.

Meanwhile, Gerard Pique’s form has also been a cause for concern.

The club have been linked with Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld and Liverpool‘s Dejan Lovren, along with former Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic, who is currently plying his trade at Zenit St. Petersburg.

“We’ll be on the lookout for a centre-back in the market,” Bartomeu told Marca. ”It’s bad luck that two of the four we have have gotten injured.

”We have a B team and this could translate into an opportunity for them. We’ll have to see what happens.”