With the transfer window now done and dusted, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the business conducted by Barcelona this summer.
Barcelona did win La Liga in the 2022/23 season, but they could not back it up with another dominant run. The Catalan giants had a tough time throughout the 2023/24 campaign. They ended up without a trophy, and it led to the departure of Xavi.
While injuries played a big part in their struggle, their performances highlighted a few key areas that need reinforcement during the summer. The Blaugrana lacked firepower in attack. The emergence of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal did save them to an extent, but they wanted to bring in players who could support him up top.
Apart from the attack, the lack of a world-class defensive midfielder was also quite certain and it was expected to be one of their priorities for the summer. While they had brought in Joao Cancelo on loan last season to ensure they had enough depth in the full-back department, they expected to go all out to sign him on a permanent basis or bring in an alternative.
Quite a few areas needed reinforcement and with Hansi Flick coming in as their new manager, they were expected to have a busy transfer window. While they were surely busy, they haven’t really made too many signings this summer. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the business they have done and tries to deliver a verdict.
Ins and outs
While Barcelona would have loved to sign a lot of players during the summer, their financial situation did not allow them to make too many moves. The Catalan giants first had to offload quite a few players to make room in their squad as well as on the wage bill.
They decided to cash in on a few of their young prospects and even allowed a few of their experienced campaigners to leave for free to ensure they could register their new signings. While they parted ways with quite a few players, the biggest shock was the departure of Ilkay Gundogan, that too on a free transfer.
The former Manchester City skipper, who had arrived last summer in a Bosman move, was allowed to return to his former club. Since he was on massive wages, his departure helped them register Dani Olmo in La Liga. Sergi Roberto’s departure was also a big blow, but we did see it coming.
Outs: Mikayil Faye, Julián Araujo, Chadi Riad, Marc Guiu, Estanis Pedrola
Free Transfers Out: Sergiño Dest, İlkay Gündoğan, Sergi Roberto, Marcos Alonso
Loaned Out: Vitor Roque, Clément Lenglet, Alex Valle, Oriol Romeou
The fact that more than nine players left the club permanently and they only signed two in return makes it quite clear that their financial situation has played a massive part once again in their transfer plans. While Barcelona might not have reinforced their defence or the midfield, they have surely taken care of their attack by signing Spanish international Dani Olmo.
Ins: Dani Olmo, Pau Victor
Marquee Signing
Dani Olmo
The 26-year-old, who guided Spain to the UEFA Euro 2024 title during the summer, completed a dream big-money move to Barcelona this summer. With Hansi Flick expected to go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation for the majority of the 2024/25 season, Olmo’s arrival could be an exceptional signing for them.
While the Spaniard can feature on both flanks, the former RB Leipzig star is expected to start as an attacking midfielder behind star striker Robert Lewandowski. He could become an x-factor for them this season, and his contribution in the final third could help them challenge for the league title.
Value for Money Signing
Pau Victor
While Barcelona forked out a significant fee to sign Olmo, they paid just around €2.5 million to sign the 22-year-old striker Pau Victor from Girona. He had already joined their youth setup last season on a loan deal and the move has now been made permanent.
The Spanish striker is quite highly rated and he has been involved in all three of their league games this season. Victor could have a significant role in the first team this season, and he could prove to be an exceptional signing for the club both in the short as well as the long run.
Inevitable Departure
Sergi Roberto
While not many saw Ilkay Gundogan’s departure coming, Roberto’s exit was expected. The 32-year-old was a part of Barcelona’s first-team setup for over a decade. But, in the last few seasons, he only had a limited role in the first team and with his contract running out and the Spanish club not in the best of financial situation, a new deal for him looked very unlikely. Eventually, they decided it was best for both parties if he ended his stint with his childhood club and left for a new experience elsewhere.
The Big Miss
Nico Williams
Throughout the summer transfer window, Barcelona were linked with a move for Nico Williams. He was reportedly their priority target, and they were working hard to land him at the club. But, unfortunately, they could not strike a deal for his services.
While they have brought in Olmo, signing Williams in the same window would have been a great statement of intent from them. But, their finances no longer allow them to do what they want. Having said that, the good news for the Spanish giants is that the 22-year-old remains at Athletic Club and they could return for his services in the future.
Verdict (6/10)
No doubt Omlo’s arrival takes their attack to the next level but there are still other areas that need some reinforcement. Unfortunately, they could not afford any more deals as registering the former RB Leipzig star became a major challenge for them.
While Barcelona have finally managed it and he has made a flying start to his time at the Spanish club, they had to part ways with Ilkay Gundogan to make it happen. The former Manchester City captain’s departure was a big shock and the fact that they allowed him to leave for free could be considered a blunder.
But, in reality, it was more of a financial decision because of his lofty wages. Overall, it was not the most successful transfer window for Barcelona, and The Hard Tackle rates their performance as a 6 out of 10 this summer.
