- Barcelona's January plans focus on their existing players
- La Liga leaders have identified targets they won't pursue until summer
- Contract registrations are the immediate priorities this winter
Barcelona are expected to focus efforts during the January transfer window on renewing contracts, rather than using the market to pursue new players mid-season.
Hansi Flick's side lead La Liga from Real Madrid, but a previously commanding lead that grew to six points following October's Clasico has been eradicated following a run of three games without a win.
There are parts of the squad that could be strengthened, but SPORT notes that there are no plans to make any signings next month. And while Flicks is aware of where on the pitch needs improvement, he has "not demanded" any new faces now, with the summer earmarked for that recruitment drive.
Barcelona's "number one objective" is securing the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. The club's financial limitations meant the only way they could achieve that in August, which came after the start of the season, was through the temporary deregistration of Andreas Christensen during his injury absence. With Christensen soon to return, the problem must be resolved once more.
On top of that, Barcelona want to announce agreed contract renewals for Pedri and Gavi until at least 2029. If the club can manage to return to 1:1 La Liga spending rules - they continue to operate on 1:4 at the moment - those contracts can be activated immediately. There has been hope since the summer that Barca are close to 1:1 but it hasn't happened yet. If not, the agreements will be in place but there will be an element of limbo until they are officially signed off.
Barcelona don't generally want to shed any players during January either. Ansu Fati is the one potential exception, having struggled with injuries since returning from last season's unsuccessful loan at Brighton & Hove Albion and taking only a peripheral role back in Catalonia.
The key there will be if Fati himself wants to leave on loan and whether there is a suitable project on offer that would help the former teen prodigy to play regularly again.
