The La Liga champions, not surprisingly, are keen to reinforce their defensive options ahead of the new season. Club captain Carlos Puyol is not getting any younger and there are doubts regarding Javier Mascherano’s ability at centre-back.

The Catalan club were famously ripped to shreds in the Champions League semi-final last season, with their defence being torn apart on seven different occasions as they were thrashed 7-0 on aggregate by eventual winners Bayern Munich.

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is a known admirer of Thiago Silva but PSG are unwilling to sell the Brazilian. The super-rich club have recently appointed Laurent Blanc as their first-team coach, who is confident that the 28-year-old will stay in Paris next season.

If Barca are unable to snap up Silva from PSG, they will reportedly set their sights on acquiring Silva’s Brazilian teammate David Luiz. Both players shone in central defence for Brazil as they lifted the Confederations Cup. According to ESPN, Barca will turn their attention to Luiz if they are unable to lure Silva to the Nou Camp.

The report suggests that the directors are aware that Luiz lacks the tactical awareness to play at centre-back for Barca, who usually adopt the high defensive line as part of their game. However, they are still keen to recruit the former Benfica defender.

Luiz signed for Chelsea in January 2011 and has quickly gone on to become a favourite despite some flaws in his game. Ex-manager Rafael Benitez utilized him to good effect in the holding midfield role and it remains to be seen where he features in the plans of new boss Jose Mourinho.

If Barca are serious about acquiring the 26-year-old, they will have to at least match Chelsea’s £30 million valuation of Luiz to prise him away from Stamford Bridge.