Cologne’s Jorge Mere and Real Sociedad’s Diego Llorente have moved to the front of the queue for potential January centre-back reinforcements at Barcelona, according to reports.

A recurring knee problem for Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen’s fragility have forced the La Liga champions to weigh up a plunge in the winter transfer market.

Mundo Deportivo have stated that a decision should be made by technical staff this week about whether to invest in a back-up option to supplement Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet. With Ajax unwilling to sell the highly rated Matthijs de Ligt in mid-season, a pair of Spanish options have moved to the front of the queue.

Spain Under-21 international Mere has a termination clause of €30 million. Llorente’s is €50m, but Barca believe they can make a deal for half this amount.