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Barcelona look to sign Watford defender Juanfran after Aleix Vidal was ruled out for the rest of the season

Juanfran is currently on loan at Deportivo and hasn't played a single match for the Hornets since joining three years ago

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Barcelona are set to make a shock move for a Watford defender who has yet to make a single appearance at Vicarage Road.

Juanfran joined the Hornets for £1.5m from Real Betis in 2014 and has since spent three seasons on loan at Deportivo.

 Juanfran has not played a single match in three years at Vicarage Road
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Juanfran has not played a single match in three years at Vicarage Road

Luis Enrique's side desperately need cover at right-back after Aleix Vidal was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury picked up against Alaves.


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According to , the Catalans will turn their attention to Juanfran after seeing a £1.7m bid for Ander Capa rejected by Eibar, who are looking for a fee of £8.5m.

A loophole in Spain's transfer rules states that clubs can make 'emergency transfers' outside the January and summer windows if they sign players already based in Spain.

 But the Deportivo loanee is now linked with a move to the Nou Camp
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But the Deportivo loanee is now linked with a move to the Nou CampCredit: Getty Images
 Barcelona need cover for Aleix Vidal, who suffered a horrific ankle injury against Alaves
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Barcelona need cover for Aleix Vidal, who suffered a horrific ankle injury against AlavesCredit: EPA
 The Catalans were hopelessly exposed at the back as PSG ran riot in midweek
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The Catalans were hopelessly exposed at the back as PSG ran riot in midweekCredit: Getty Images
 A bid for Eibar's Ander Capa (left) has already been rejected
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A bid for Eibar's Ander Capa (left) has already been rejectedCredit: EPA

Malaga's Venezuelan right-back Roberto Rosales is another potential target.

Watford's owners, the Pozzo family, have repeatedly made clear to the local press that Juanfran is not in their plans at Vicarage Road.

Deportivo confirmed in August that they had agreed an option to buy the Spaniard at the end of the season.

That means Barcelona may also have to pay a sum to the La Liga strugglers to buy them out of their agreement with the Hornets.

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