Barcelona is running out of time in the transfer window. Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu are so far the only first team signings, and those have been offset by the exit of Robert Lewandowski and loans of Ronald Araújo and Marc-André ter Stegen.
There have been other moves around the edges, but quite a few deals are stuck in transfer purgatory. The Julián Álvarez saga has dragged on and might getting in the way of other moves. Same with the Rodri business. Deco is running out of time and if there aren’t alternatives popping up in the next few days, the squad that Barça has may be the squad that Hansi Flick has to work with.
Culers are skeptical that the squad doesn’t feel deep enough to compete across all competitions, and lack of depth goes double for any Champions League trophy chances. At this point, it’s time to ask; should Barcelona be pivoting to alternatives.
Álvarez Stuck in Madrid
Everything out of Madrid indicates that Atlético Madrid will keep their asset in Álvarez come hell or high water. He is under contract until 2030, and the club is expecting him to honor that contract despite the player stating his desire to leave. If Atléti won’t sell, it’s most likely that Flick won’t push for an alternative.
Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze is the latest name linked, but is he or any of the other back-up options better than what is already at the club? The exit of Ferran Torres to PSG does leave the hole, but appears that Flick is willing to be flexible and willing to play Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon in the middle. Club Brugge’s Nicolò Tresoldi has also been floated as a name without much traction behind it.
Rodri or Bust?
All indications are that Rodri will be on his way to Barcelona in a matter of hours. Or maybe days. Or maybe not at all if Manchester City doesn’t make concessions to the $81 million that they are reportedly asking for.
With Brian Fariñas replacing Marc Casadó in the first team, there is still a bit of a hole in the middle without Frenkie de Jong for the first few months of the season. It would be a big ask of Pedri, Gavi, and Marc Bernal to hold down the position until his return. Flick separating Tommy Marqués and Guille Fernández is additional indication that the pivot spots are expected to be crowded, with or without Rodri. If the Spanish Ballon d’Or winner doesn’t arrive this summer, it shouldn’t be expected that any other action happens in the middle.
For more on what Rodri would bring to Barcelona, check out the tactics in the latest episode of The Barcelona Podcast:
Deco and Flick Say No to CBs
Unless Deco is operating in the shadows in the centre-back market, Flick will be trusting in his current group. RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is the latest name linked to Barça, but it doesn’t appear that the club is willing to chase a player at that position. There were mixed reports on whether Cuti Romero turned down Barça or the club turned him down, and either way it led to the Argentine signing for Atlético Madrid. It was a similar story with Alessandro Bastoni. Andreas Christensen’s health appears to be the catalyst for any centre-back operation; and the moment, he’s ready to partner Pau Cubarsí.
Cancelo Should Have Been Easy
João Cancelo’s return to Catalonia was supposed to be the simple operation, but it has dragged on for an additional month after his elimination from the World Cup. The assumption is that Cancelo’s salary is dependent on other moves and the 32-year-old full-back is willing to accept a number that suits Barcelona’s wage bill. It’s not a piece of business to be concerned with, but it is another deal that will need to be done before the clock strikes zero. Meanwhile, Racing Santander is asking €16 million for centre-back/left-back Jorge Salinas and Barcelona seems unwilling to pay that. Atlético Madrid were also unwilling to pay, and if he doesn’t stay at Racing, expect a move to the EPL.
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