Given their frustrating summer transfer window, which saw Neymar leave the club for pastures new and a move for Coutinho hit the buffers, Barca are making sure that their targets are set in stone and that the groundwork is already done ahead of the window re-opening in January.
According to Spanish publication 'Mundo Deportivo', the club are hoping to bring in a young defender as soon as possible in order to allow them to compete with and learn from Pique, Umtiti and Mascherano, with two names featuring right at the top of their wishlist.
Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, who played alongside Tottenham's Davinson Sanchez in the Europa League final in May at the age of just 17, is being considered, along with RB Leipzig's French defender Dayot Upamecano.
The duo, who are both 18, are likely to be difficult to sign though, with both Ajax and Leipzig unwilling to sell their top prospects.
The pair have established themselves as improtant first-team players so far this season, with each player starting all but one game for their respective sides.
Despite their relatively little experience, it will take a huge offer from Barca to tempt either club to part with their young star.