Barcelona scout Bundesliga defender

FC Barcelona could be set to make a move for Hoffenheim defender Fabian Schar, after scouting the player while on international duty this week, according to reports in Spain.

Spanish sports newspaper Mundo Deportivo is reporting that FC Barcelona’s sporting director Robert Fernandez scouted 24-year-old Hoffenheim defender Fabian Schar while the player was on international duty for Switzerland in their 2-1 victory over Andorra on Monday night.

It is believed that Barca hold a long standing interest in the Swiss centre-back dating back to his time playing for Basel in his home country.

The Catalan giants may now be weighing up making a move for Schar when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Barcelona have already made two defensive signing ahead of the current season, with Frenchmen Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne being brought in from Lyon for €25 million and Paris Saint Germain for €18 million respectively.

They sold Spanish centre-back Marc Bartra to Borussia Dortmund during the off season, but they can still call upon Gerard Pique, Umtiti, Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu as central defensive options.

However, Macherano has made a poor start to the new season, and Mathieu continues to struggle when asked to step into first team action at the Camp Nou, so a move for Schar is not beyond the realms of possibility if manager Luis Enrique decised to bolster his options in January.