Barcelona are considering a bid for Thomas Vermaelen after hitting a brick wall in attempts to sign Thiago Silva from AC Milan.
Nou Camp boss Tito Vilanova made Silva his top central defensive target but the Catalans set aside less than £30million for the deal - while sources in Italy claim Milan have already turned down a £32.5m bid from Paris Saint-Germain.
The impasse has forced Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to consider alternatives with his technical staff.
Chelsea defender David Luiz - Silva's Brazil team-mate - has long been the second choice.
However, despite the 25-year-old being open to a move, Zubizarreta fears he will be just as difficult to prise from Stamford Bridge.
A list of targets Barca feel they could land includes Arsenal defender Vermaelen, despite his recent insistence that he would 'stay at Arsenal forever'.
The Belgian especially fits the bill because of his ability to also play at left back and in midfield, but Arsenal are likely to resist any approach.
Other options - according to El Mundo Deportivo - include Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, but the 25-year-old is close to clinching a move to Tottenham.
Scouts have also recommended Borussia Dortmund duo Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic, as well as Lyon's Dejan Lovren.
By ASHLEY GRAY
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