Barcelona linked with surprising late move for Croatian international Darijo Srna

Barcelona could still make a surprising late-summer addition to the squad by signing Darijo Srna as a free-agent, according to AS. The transfer window has already closed in La Liga but the Catalan club would be able to get the services of the Croatian international right-back should he rescind his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The La Liga champions have made a big overhaul in the summer to strengthen all the lines with the six additions of Paco Alcacer, Jasper Cillessen, Denis Suarez, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne and Andre Gomes. However, the club failed to sign a new right-back despite losing Dani Alves to Juventus.

Earlier in the summer reports in Spain claimed that Barcelona were ready to launch a bid to bring Hector Bellerin back from Arsenal to fill the massive gap left by the Brazilian international.

However, the club officials later claimed that they had decided against bolstering the position, as manager Luis Enrique also has versatile Sergi Roberto and Aleix Vidal to cover the role.

However, both AS and Croatian Publication Tribuna.com are now reporting that they can still sign veteran Srna to add more competition to the squad.

The 34-year-old right-back has been linked with Barcelona since Pep Guardiola's days at the Nou Camp and Tribuna.com claims that the Croatian could be now available on a free-transfer, as he is set to rescind his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk.

AS, meanwhile, claims that Barcelona have been monitoring the situation through the summer amid concerns over the poor form of Vidal.

Vidal, 27, was recruited from Sevilla last summer in order to become the long-term replacement of Alves. However, he was unable to play during the first part of the season due to a Fifa ban, and failed to make any impact during the second part.

The Spaniard was expected to have a new chance to prove his worth following the departure of Alves. However, Enrique has opted instead to use midfielder Roberto in his place during the first games of the campaign.

AS claims that Vidal is so frustrated about the situation that in the last days of the market asked Barcelona to let him go for free. The club rejected his proposal after they paid around €18m (£15m, $20m) to Sevilla to sign him only last summer.

However, the club believe that the Spaniard could still force his exit in the near future, and so are keeping an eye on Srna ahead of making a surprising late signing.