Barcelona are not going to close their doors to the January transfer window, despite financial limitations.
The Blaugrana have yet to sign Ronald Araujo, Gavi and Inaki Pena to the senior contracts they have signed, in the Uruguayan’s case, deals he signed more than six months ago.
Their struggle to stay within La Liga’s salary cap has limited both ongoing promotion and subsequent business.
Meanwhile Memphis Depay has left the team for Atletico Madrid, for an initial fee of €3 million. That’s not expected to free up much space, but Sport claims that Barcelona will not be hunting for a striker before the end of the window.
“I expected a bit of movement,” admits coach Xavi Hernandez.
“I’ve said it from day one. Especially when it comes to incorporation, I’m calm. I’m not ruling anything out, but for now no news.”
The Catalan coach ideally wants an all-rounder who can come in and finish chances.
Despite the unlikely nature of such a striker available, the case of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season is an example of things that can fall into the right direction.
Either way, it will be a loan or a free deal, if a striker does come along.
While Xavi would clearly prefer to have more resources available, the fact that Memphis only played 206 minutes for the Blaugrana up until his departure is an illustration of the fact that it will be difficult to bring in better options.
Those minutes are perhaps best put to good use on the youngsters arriving at Barca Athletic.
espana football sources