Every year it feels the same. Barcelona reach the semi-finals or quarter-finals of the Champions League, play some incredible attacking football, and somehow find a way to lose it all in the space of a few minutes.
First Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 (when Ronald Araujo received a red card), then Inter in 2025 (where Barca’s high-line was repeatedly exposed and Inter scored seven goals), and finally, Atletico in 2026 (when Pau Cubarsi received a red card in the first leg and Eric García was sent off
in the return). The Champions League continues to haunt Barca and leaves fans with the same question: what could have been done differently?
There’s clearly something missing at center-back, and it’s been a problem since Iñigo Martínez left. These defensive frailties raise questions about how far Barcelona can go in the Champions League.
This season could look different, though. Araújo has already left on loan to join Liverpool, and Alejandro Balde’s future seems uncertain currently. If the left-back were to depart, a defensive reinforcements looks likely.
So who could be our potential left center-back signing? Flick and Deco reportedly want someone fast, comfortable on the ball, and able to play a high line: three names in particular keep cropping up.
Aymeric Laporte – Athletic Club
He’s a proven leader at centre back. During the World Cup, he linked up brilliantly with Pau Cubarsi for Spain, conceding just once in eight matches together.
Athletic only signed him last September on a deal until 2028, and won’t want to sell him to a direct rival. Sporting director Mikel González has already insisted Laporte is going nowhere this summer.
Relations between Barcelona and Athletic remain tense, and it’s been reported he would cost €80 million. If Barcelona could negotiate a fee, he’d be a great short-term fix.
Castello Lukeba – RB Leipzig
A young centre back with great potential to grow, who could provide a long-term solution for the LCB position. Lukeba has made over 80 Bundesliga appearances in three seasons already, plus 12 Champions League games. Last season he completed over 90% of his passes, won half his aerial duels, and made 127 ball recoveries.
He’s physical, fast, and comfortable carrying the ball forward, though aerial duels aren’t quite his strongest suit yet. Leipzig value him at around €60 million and are in no hurry to sell, having just waved goodbye to Yan Diomande in a deal worth €125 million, and have Lukeba tied down to a long-term contract until 2029. Both Flick and Deco seem to like him most, but this looks a tough deal to complete.
Natan – Real Betis
The Catalans have reportedly held preliminary talks with Real Betis, and he’s valued at around €25-30 million. He also checks a lot of the boxes the Blaugrana would be looking for in an LCB: Tall (6 feet 2 inches), fast (one of the fastest players in La Liga, with an average speed exceeding 33.5 km/h), good on the ball, dominant in the air, and a front-footed, aggressive defender capable of playing in a high line system such as Hansi Flick’s.
Here’s where it gets interesting, though. Rodri’s arrival has already eased some of Barca’s defensive worries. He’s a world-class midfielder who can drop deep, control the tempo, and take pressure off our centre backs. But let’s be honest, he’s a midfielder solving a midfield problem. He’s not going to win headers in his own box or make that last-ditch tackle when everyone else has been beaten. And these are the exact moments where we’ve been losing Champions League ties the last three seasons.
So now tell us what you think! Do Barcelona need to sign another center-back? If yes, who?
