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Barcelona are looking for a ‘new Henrik Larsson’, but the fullback version, explain Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday.

‘Barca focuses on the search for a veteran fullback to replace Aleix Vidal in the winter market’

Barcelona are scraping the barrel according to Mundo Deportivo. They want an ageing fullback with a contract ending soon who would move mid season, because they think anyone half decent wouldn’t be up for it.

Several names are proposed. Bayern Munich’s 31 year old Rafinha, Juventus’ 32 year old Stephan Lichtsteiner, Shakhtar Donetsk’s 34 year old Darijo Srna, Chelsea’s 32 year old Branislav Ivanovic, Borussia Dortmund’s 32 year old Łukasz Piszczek… and Matteo Darmian.

Screen Shot 2016-11-16 at 10.25.23What? The Manchester United defender is only 26 years of age and has a contract until June 30th 2019 we hear you cry.

Well, Mundo Deportivo feel Barcelona may have a chance because of the ‘Mourinho war’. It’s stated the Italian has ‘clashed’ with his Manchester United manager and his agent isn’t too pleased either.

Darmian can of course play on both wings defensively and hasn’t been part of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United plans until very recently. Signing for Barcelona is attractive for any player, but the attraction fades somewhat when even their friendly press make it clear they’re looking for scraps.