Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed the club are still hoping to make at least one more signing before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
Barca have already signed five senior players this summer: goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Marc- Andre ter Stegen, centre back Jeremy Mathieu, midfielder Ivan Rakitic and striker Luis Suarez.
But after meeting with his sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and new coach Luis Enrique at the club’s training base in England on Friday, Bartomeu confirmed the spending spree is not yet over.
“There are still things to do this summer,” he said. “Both Zubizarreta and Luis Enrique have already told you. We’ll be discussing things while we are here.”
Despite Mathieu’s arrival, the centre of defence is the biggest priority for Bartomeu and his staff.
In particular, Barca are still keen to bring their long-standing pursuit of young Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos to a successful conclusion, but the French club’s high asking price may force them to look elsewhere.
Another target is Colombia and Fiorentina ace Juan Cuadrado, who has been pinpointed as the man to replace Dani Alves down the right flank. But Fiorentina are also reluctant to sell, and the absence of offers for Alves is further complicating Barca’s pursuit.
Meanwhile, Suarez will have his appeal against a four-month ban for biting heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport next Friday.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid are closer to making their next signing, with Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas finally expected to arrive at the Bernabeu for a ¤10 million (Dh49m) fee on Monday.
The long-awaited signature of Costa Rican World Cup star Navas will be accompanied by the sale of Diego Lopez, who was Madrid’s La Liga number one throughout last season but is now being jettisoned to make room for the new arrival.
Lopez is believed to be choosing between Chelsea, who are poised to lose Petr Cech to PSG, or Monaco, who need a new custodian following the collapse of their move for Victor Valdes.