While Barcelona remains strapped for cash amid the club's major financial troubles, Joan Laporta continues to try to navigate the transfer market and bring in big names to help right the ship. Well, with the January transfer window officially open, Barca have opened talks with various clubs regarding potential swap deals. One target Laporta has locked in on is Manchester City center back Aymeric Laporte, and reports suggest a swap deal involving Laporte and Barca star midfielder Frenkie De Jong has been discussed, per El Nacional.

A move for Laporte would make sense for Barcelona. The Manchester City defender just recently changed citizenships, swapping his status as a French national to become a Spaniard in order to get more chances on the international level. The Catalan side have had a leaky defense thus far into the 2021-22 season, surrendering 22 goals through their first 19 matches, while only netting 30. Barca finds themselves in fifth place in La Liga, sitting a discouraging 15 points behind table-topping Real Madrid, so any reinforcements which can help turn things around will certainly be considered.

The report indicates that while Laporte would be open to joining Barcelona, De Jong is less keen on a move to the Premier League, preferring to remain with Barca. De Jong is currently under contract through the 2026 season, while Laporte's deal at City is due to expire in 2025.

Multiple players have been linked with moves away from Barcelona as the team looks to shed salary in order to fund future signings. The likes of Phillippe Coutinho, Frenkie De Jong, Ousmane Dembele, and Sergino Dest, among others, have been mentioned as players potentially leaving the club this season, though Laporta will have his work cut out for him when discussing finances.