Barcelona will have to continue the season without midfielder Rafinha who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a Champions League match. The club now sees Arsenal's Theo Walcott as a possible transfer target.
In a report by the Mirror, following Rafinha's injury, Barcelona tried to register new signing Arda Turan, asking the permission of Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), despite having a transfer ban because of "irregularities" the club had when they signed young players.
The ban will be lifted this January, but Barca decided to give it a go and asked RFEF if they can register Turan because of Rafinha's injury.
According to the report, RFEF surprisingly granted Blaugrana's request, but they were stopped by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) who said no new signing can play for them until the ban is lifted in 2016.
Because of the failed attempt, Barcelona saw Walcott as a fitting transfer target who could fill in the lack of depth they had when Rafinha got injured.
But according to SB Nation, Walcott heading to the Nou Camp will hinder the development of players like Sandro Ramírez and Munir El Haddadi.
Walcott, who is performing very well for the Gunners, has been linked to a transfer to Barcelona before but nothing was pushed through.
However, as suggested by Bleacher Report in their report, Barcelona may no longer need Walcott once the transfer ban is lifted in January, since Turan will then be eligible to play and there would be no need for the Arsenal starter.
Considering that the 26-year-old footballer is a starter, Arsenal will likely ask a big amount for him.
But Barcelona already has the striking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez and will likely not be spending a massive fee for Walcott who would end up as a backup.
