Mamadou Mbacke’s future at FC Barcelona appears increasingly open as the January transfer window approaches. The Senegalese center back, currently part of Barça Atlètic, has attracted interest from abroad, with Basel and Slavia Prague closely tracking his situation, according to reports from Spanish outlets.
Mbacke, 23, is under contract until the end of the season, a factor that could accelerate decision making in the coming weeks. Barcelona are aware that a potential winter exit could help balance the books and reduce wage commitments, an important consideration given the club’s ongoing financial constraints. Various reports suggest the club would be willing to listen to offers in order to generate income and avoid losing the player for free in the summer.
On the pitch, Mbacke has featured in nine matches for Barça Atlètic this season. He has enjoyed periods of trust from Juliano Belletti, partly due to injuries suffered by other defenders, but his overall role has fluctuated. Earlier in the campaign, he returned to action after recovering from physical issues that delayed his involvement, including a fracture in his left hand in November.
Despite those setbacks, his profile remains appealing to clubs seeking defensive depth. Basel and Slavia Prague are both exploring reinforcements for the winter market, and according to reports Mbacke is on their shortlist. A move to either side would offer him the chance to compete in European competitions, with Basel currently involved in the UEFA Europa League. Czech and Swiss interest is considered more advanced than that of Cádiz or Málaga, who have also been loosely linked but are seen as secondary options.
Mbacke’s path to Barcelona has been anything but conventional. He arrived in 2023 on loan from Los Angeles FC after spells in the United States, including significant minutes with LAFC and their affiliate Las Vegas Lights. Following a solid first season, Barcelona exercised their purchase option and tied him down until 2026. However, his second year proved more inconsistent, with injuries and competition limiting his impact.
He has also trained on multiple occasions with the first team under Hansi Flick, particularly when defensive absences opened the door. Still, breaking through at senior level has been difficult, and his contractual and sporting situation now points toward a possible change of scenery.
