Barça has made a decision. After a great season that saw them win three titles, both Hansi Flick and Deco, the club’s sporting director, are committed to keeping the team that has brought so much success this season, speeding up renewals and abandoning several signings that seemed a priority a few months ago.
The goal: to keep the team together
At the end of the season, Deco took stock and gave a very positive assessment of the team’s achievements. “This year we have strengthened the team with players from within the club. And this year we have seen that this team can compete. That gives you confidence. There are players with a lot of potential. We knew that Fermín was going to be better, Balde, Pedri, Olmo… And the older players provide stability. That’s the balance you want in a squad.”
Barça’s main objective is to keep the team together, and to this end, they have worked hard, and continue to do so, to finalize important renewals such as those of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, already signed, and those of Frenkie De Jong, Szczesny, Marc Casadó, and Eric García, among others.
The signings that fell by the wayside
Just a few weeks ago, Barça’s targets were on the wings and in attack, looking for Robert Lewandowski’s heir. There was even talk of some midfielders. However, all these signings have been ruled out, as Deco stated a few days ago in an interview. Full-backs: “We’re not looking.” Midfielders? “We’re not looking.” Forwards? “No. For now, we’re waiting to sit down with the coach. We don’t think anyone is going to leave. Because normally, any player would want to be part of this. If that’s the case, we’re happy.”
In the case of full-backs, FC Barcelona wanted to find competition for Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde. Each one is indispensable on his side of the field and they were playing absolutely everything. Names such as Vandenson, Tyrick Mitchell, Frimpong, Dodo, Marc Pubill, and Givairo Read were mentioned. However, with both players out due to injury, Gerard Martín gained prominence on the left wing, proving that he is ready for the big games, as did a converted Eric García on the right wing, putting the need to go to the market on hold.
As for the midfielders, the overbooking in the wide areas with names such as Gavi, Pedri, De Jong, Fermín, Casadó and Dani Olmo makes it unnecessary to sign any new players. The same goes for Robert Lewandowski’s heir. Ferran Torres has come into his own as a number 9 and has postponed the need to sign a striker.
A priority in the transfer market
“Our top priority is to consolidate what we have at home. The renewals of Pedri and Gavi were like signings. Then Araujo, De Jong, Koundé… When you renew a player of Lamine’s caliber, it’s like a big signing. We have a team that doesn’t give us headaches when we think about planning for next year. First we have to fix what we have at home. And then, if possible, we’ll improve. I’m not thinking about that specific position. If everyone stays, we need a player with a different profile to what we have. Fermín has already played as a winger and did well.” Despite Deco’s words, it is well known that the main objective of the Barça team is to sign a left winger. This is a need agreed upon with Hansi Flick and was already a priority last summer when they tried to sign Nico Williams.
In that regard, there are two names that appear as priorities on Barça’s agenda: Luis Diaz, who is the favorite despite his high cost, around $70-80 million; and Marcus Rashford, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to join Barça, which would have to pay $40 million, although a loan deal is preferred.