Barcelona Shortlist Ghanaian Defender Mohammed Salisu as Target Ahead of Summer Transfer Window

• Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu has popped up as a target for Spanish giants Barcelona ahead of the transfer window
• The Catalan club has shortlisted the Ghanaian alongside four other defenders for a potential move in the summer
• Mohammed Salisu has been in outstanding form for Southampton this season making 32 Premier League appearances

Mohammed Salisu has emerged as one of the candidates for a potential move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old, who is enjoying a breakthrough campaign in England with Southampton, is one of the five players shortlisted by Barcelona as targets in the window.

According to Tribal Football, Salisu joins Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte, Jules Kounde of Sevilla, Villareal's Pau Torres and Matthijs De Ligt of Juventus as defenders being considered by the Catalan giants.

Barcelona are looking to add one or two players to their defence with Gerrard Pique likely to leave in the summer, and the future of Samuel Umtiti still in limbo.

Arsenal reignite interest in Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as search for striker intensifies

Football

Meanwhile, Mohammed Salisu is having his best campaign in Europe, having broken into the starting line up of Southampton in England.

Barcelona were one of the clubs that were interested in the Ghanaian before he moved to England to join Southampton.

Mohammed Salisu leads the players with the most interceptions in the English Premier League this season, with 76 followed by teammate Jan Bednarek.

GFA President Kurt Okraku meets defender Mohammed Salisu in England

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku paid a visit to Mohammed Salisu in his latest attempt to convince the Southampton defender to play for the Black Stars.

Salisu has rejected multiple approaches from the Ghana FA to represent the country of his birth, always insisting he is not ready.

In a video posted on Twitter, sighted by Sports Brief, GFA President Okraku was in hearty chat with Salisu in the Hausa language, amidst laughter.

Former Black Stars and current Hearts of Oak midfielder Sulley Muntari linked with Orlando Pirates move

Football

Mohammed Salisu scores own goal in Southampton's draw against Brighton

It was an afternoon to forget for Mohammed Salisu who scored an own goal as Southampton were held to a stalemate against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.

The 22-year-old put the ball in his own net as he attempted to clear the ball. The goal handed the home side a 2-0 lead before Southampton surged a comeback to draw 2-2.

The Ghanaian defender was handed a starting role despite struggling for form with consistent mistakes leading to goals becoming a regular feature in his game.