Luis Enrique ponders full-back buys after Vidal injury

Dom Farrell

Luis Enrique ponders full-back buys after Vidal injury image

Luis Enrique admits that Aleix Vidal's horror injury could force Barcelona into the transfer market.

Full-back Vidal is facing five months on the sidelines after suffering a dislocated ankle during Saturday's 6-0 win over Alaves.

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Vidal, 27, had struggled for his best form at Barca since signing from Sevilla in 2015 but enjoyed a productive run of late before his sickening setback.

Luis Enrique's squad is short of specialist cover at right-back, with midfielder Sergi Roberto redeployed following Dani Alves' departure to Juventus last close season.

Speaking ahead of the Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, Luis Enrique conceded he could look to strengthen in the next transfer window as Vidal begins an arduous rehabilitation.

"Aleix is already on the process to recovery. It's a question of trying to get better on a day-to-day basis," the Barca boss told a news conference.

"This is the first phase now, which is perhaps more tranquil but more difficult for the player.

"It is a player who we are going to miss considerably because we don't have the biggest of squads.

"It is an option we are considering and we will see if we can find someone that suits us."

Dom Farrell

Dom Farrell Photo

Dom is the senior content producer for Sporting News UK. He previously worked as fan brands editor for Manchester City at Reach Plc. Prior to that, he built more than a decade of experience in the sports journalism industry, primarily for the Stats Perform and Press Association news agencies. Dom has covered major football events on location, including the entirety of Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Paris and St Petersburg respectively, along with numerous high-profile Premier League, Champions League and England international matches. Cricket and boxing are his other major sporting passions and he has covered the likes of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko, Gennadiy Golovkin and Vasyl Lomachenko live from ringside.