Spanish giants FC Barcelona had an eventual 2024 summer transfer window, amid all the financial difficulties they have been handling for the past few decades. After a not so special last season, where they failed to defend La Liga and ended with a quarter-final exit in the coveted Champions League, the Cules looked consolidated to repair the squad.
Struggling with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules, as they have for the past three seasons, the Barca think-thank were aware that they would not be able to make many moves. With the limited resources and desperate attempts to rebuild their squad, they could pull only two big transfers and to ensure their registrations, they had to sell an array of players.
On that note, let’s have a look at the moves at motives behind them:
Problems Before the transfer window in the FC Barcelona squad:
- Defensive-midfielder: Ever since the departure of legend Sergio Busquets, Barca are struggling to find a quality defensive-midfielder, who could match with the qualities of Busquets & especially his off-the-ball movement.
- Defenders: FC Barcelona had limited members in the defense, with key defenders injured. In the second-leg quarter-final of the Champions League, FC Barcelona lost dominance after Ronald Araujo’s injury. The team had no able replacements.
- No. 9: FC Barcelona practically had only one natural striker, Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker has been poor at converting many chances created by the midfield. Barca had no equal player to fit in his position, a problem which cost them vital points in the league.
- Goalkeeper: Not having a good substitute goalkeeper has been the biggest issue with FC Barcelona. Marc Andre Ter Stegen literally has to play every single game, no matter if he succeeds or not. Finding a good reserve was essential.
- Left-Wing: FC Barcelona had enough prospects on the left, be it Ferran Torress or Ansu Fati, but performance has been a concern for them. Another left-winger would have made things better.
Problems Addressed
- Striker: Though not an equal substitute, FC Barcelona secured one for their vibrant future. Pau Victor has been swapped in for a bargain, and the Cules will expect him to play some matches in place of legend Lewandowski and score like he did in the pre-season.
- Midfield: FC Barcelona had enough resources for the No. 10 position, but seeing Dani Olmo’s heroics in the Euro 2024 must have stopped them from not getting another. Also, Olmo is a versatile player, who can cater from the wing and play as a striker too. So the goalscoring vows, which haunted Barcelona last season must be solved now.
Problems Now
- Goalkeeping: FC Barcelona purchased no goalie to compete with Stegen. Seeing the German’s form, the club might face trouble later.
- Midfield: FC Barcelona did secure Olmo, and let two great prospects Marc Casado and Bernal get promoted to the senior team. But due to FFP barriers, they had to release IIkay Gundogan, their best from last season. Now, Bernal is also injured. So, FC Barcelona have very little to support their CDM zone.
- Right-Back: The Balugranas have no good natural RB in their team. Their legend Sergi Roberto left for free. Sergino Dest and Cancelo have also left. Now the team is fighting hard with Kounde in the right-back position. The team should have secured one, at loan if not a full transfer.
FC Barcelona: All Arrivals and Departures
Arrivals: Dani Olmo, Pau Victor
Departures: Gundogan, Alonso, Roberto, Dest, Alarcon, Romeu, Valle, Lenglet, Roque, Fi, Julian Araujo, Chadi Riad, Guiu, and Pedrola
FC Barcelona possible XI after the 2024 Summer Transfer Window
GK: Ter Stegen (GK);
RB: Kounde,
CB: Cubarsí,
CB: Araujo, (injured now)
LB: Balde;
CM: Gavi, (injured now)
CM: Pedri;
RW: Yamal,
CAM: Olmo, (new signing/ 55 million Euros transfer fee)
LW: Raphinha;
ST: Lewandowski
Best substitutes for each position:
GK: Pena
RB: Fort
CB: Inigo Martinez
CB: Christensen (now injured)
LB: None (some CBs can fit in the role)
CM: Frenkie de Jong (now injured)
CM: Bernal (now injured)/ Fermin Lopez
RW: Raphinha
CAM: Torre
LW: Fati (now injured)/ Torres
ST: Victor