Barcelona's capacity to buy Manchester City's Eric Garcia in January will still depend on them selling players despite the club fearing the worst as Gerard Pique prepares to make a definitive decision over his knee injury.
Pique is due to meet with famed knee surgeon Ramon Cugat on Wednesday to discuss whether or not to operate on the injured ligaments in his right knee.
If the 33-year-old opts for rehabilitation without surgery and the decision pays off he could be back playing again in March in time for the Champions League but if he chooses an operation he will be out for the rest of the season.