Barcelona’s great season, with two titles already under their belt and a third within reach, makes it difficult to think of what a team that has been outstanding needs to improve, but the truth is that there is always room for improvement, and the Azulgrana have a clear roadmap to follow this summer, provided their finances allow it.
The salary cap will dictate the market
Problems with the salary cap will continue to plague Barcelona for another season. Last summer, the issue arose with Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, who had to take precautionary measures in order to be registered. It was a highly controversial decision by the CSD, with which LaLiga strongly disagrees. They believe that Barça has exceeded the salary cap and therefore cannot register any new players. It all started when LaLiga questioned the sale of the VIP boxes at the Camp Nou, something that an audit would ultimately prove to be correct. The 100 million euros from the sale of the 450 seats cannot be accounted for in this financial year and therefore does not affect the current salary cap.
Deco’s plans
Deco, Barça’s sporting director, gave an exclusive interview to ESPN after Barça’s victory over Real Madrid in El Clásico. In it, he made clear the club’s roadmap for the transfer market. The executive made it clear that he does not expect any significant losses, but that some adjustments need to be made to the transfer budget. “I don’t think that anyone in this team, given its dynamic and enthusiasm, is willing to leave. We have already renewed most of the players, now we have to look after those who are here. Last year I said we couldn’t lose anyone. I think it’s the same now. If we can improve, it’s always possible, but the key is to keep what we have consolidated for the coming years. Suddenly we feel very dependent on Raphinha and Lamine. Maybe we need similar players, a solution for them. The squad is quite balanced and we also have a lot of good things at the base,” he said.
He does not expect any major changes to a squad that has surprised even him with its performance this season, winning three titles. “My idea at the beginning of the season, with the changes we made, was to compete. Competing means fighting to be there. You can’t get to matchday 36 of the league without fighting to win. But it exceeded expectations a little, because we competed against a strong Real Madrid, and for one small detail we are not in the Champions League final. Competing for everything, we won the Super Cup, the Copa del Rey… That was our idea, this is the way forward,” he said.
As for one of the issues that most concerns the Barça fans, the renewal of Lamine Yamal, Deco was optimistic: ”The players have to be happy where they are. I don’t see a better place for them. The boy grew up here, he’s from here. This generation has the chance to make history. Putting myself in his shoes, I’d want to be here, to be part of it. I don’t see any problems (with Lamine), especially since he has a contract. The club, within what it needs to create for him, will end up renewing him.”