With less than 48 hours left before the summer transfer window closes, FC Barcelona are still hoping to make at least one or to last-minute additions to the squad.
A new defensive midfielder is high on the wishlist following Marc Bernal’s season-ending injury while a new centre-back and a left-winger – the main priority throughout the summer – also remain on the agenda.
Reports earlier in the week indicated that Barcelona could make some late moves if they can reach an agreement with Nike over their new deal.
In fact, a ‘bomb’ signing like Rafael Leao or Nico Williams was thought as possible if the Catalans were able to finalise the Nike agreement and get it approved by La Liga.
No more late signings
However, now, according to MARCA, there will be no big last-minute big signings for Barcelona.
Hansi Flick can now say the final goodbye to Nico Williams and Rafael Leao, two players Barcelona thought about, but more as a summer dream than a tangible reality.
The Catalan club have already ruled out making a last-minute ‘express move’ that would generate enough ‘Fair Play’ to make a big signing.
The Nike deal, which according to club sources is practically done, will not come into effect in this window and is expected to be announced in the first days of September.
This sponsorship was key because if it had been closed in time it would have generated an important ‘Fair Play’ to make a big signing. But without it, Barcelona can do nothing although the Nike deal’s advantages could be used in the winter.
Another option was the missing money from the sale of Barça VIsion. Aramark had put up part of the money a few weeks ago, but not all of it. This meant that Barça, in addition to not being in the 1:1 rule, was penalised for this non-payment.
If this money had arrived, they would have been freed from the penalty and would have had some chances to sign a player in the market, but not a big signing. However, no investor has been found within the required time.
In the end, and as in previous windows, the club have not achieved their Fair Play objectives, despite Joan Laporta’s assurances a few weeks ago that they would be on the 1:1 rule before the end of the summer.
So Barcelona enters the last two days of the market with minimal room for manoeuvre. They do not have enough ‘Fair Play’ to sign players and there are no departures planned from a squad hit by numerous injuries.
Deco is looking for bargain options on the market, but for now the chances of any signing are minimal.
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