This summer transfer window is a real ordeal for FC Barcelona. The files are piling up but rarely come to fruition. The club’s priority after Euro 2024, Nico Williams will not be coming, nor will Luis Diaz or more recently Rafael Leao. Only Pau Victor and Dani Olmo have put down their suitcases from Girona and RB Leipzig for €2.7 million and €55 million respectively. Another problem arises. The Blaugranas are still unable to register their two recruits with the services of La Liga due to a wage bill that is still too high. As a result, and while waiting to resolve this situation, the club cannot take advantage of their talents.
This was already the case last year, and in the summer of 2022. The departure of Ilkay Gündogan, left free to allow him to return to Manchester City, and the upcoming departure of Vitor Roque for Betis will help to resolve his concerns, but this highlights another problem. Of his transfer windows for the 2023/2024 season, there is almost nothing left, proof of a succession of failures on the part of the current management. It’s quite simple, of the 6 reinforcements registered between the summer and the winter, only Inigo Martinez remains, who is leaving rather as a substitute (25 matches played in all competitions last season, or a little over 1600 minutes). The others have already all left.
Inigo Martinez, the only recruit from last season still at the club
The latest, as explained above, are Vitor Roque and Ilay Gündogan. For the German, considered a very smart move by going to get him after the end of his contract with the Cityzens, it never really stuck. From the start, the midfielder criticized the club for its management of the newcomers. He explained in particular that he had to manage his move alone. There were then reproaches towards the character of the team, too tender, too nice for his taste. The locker room did not always appreciate his comments in front of the press. In short, attractive on paper, this union never stuck.
The Brazilian striker’s management is not without reproach either. Barça has always given the impression of having recruited him by default and not because of need. Initially, he was supposed to come during the summer of 2024 but Gavi’s injury in November forced the club to change its plans. Vitor Roque finally arrived in January for €40 million, a huge sum for precarious finances, from Athletico Paranaense. Quickly, Robert Lewandowski’s new understudy showed his technical and emotional limits. After 16 appearances and 2 goals, Barça will send him elsewhere to gain experience. Barely arrived, already gone.
No sooner said than done
The Oriol Romeu case is another kind of fiasco. After his very good season at Girona, the rugged midfielder seemed delighted to return to his training club, a mutual satisfaction. However, both parties quickly became disillusioned. The fault lies in the player’s rather limited qualities that don’t really fit the Blaugrana DNA. A starter during the first two months of competition, he quickly lost his place, before returning on loan to Girona this summer despite the €3.5 million invested a year ago. The casting error is unfortunately glaring, one more made by Joan Laporta and his teams, in a single transfer window, and it’s not over yet.
They were also returned to sender, João Félix and João Cancelo did not last long. On loan from Atlético de Madrid, the attacking midfielder blew hot and cold. A starter during the first half of the season, the Portuguese ended up as a luxury substitute. His 10 goals and 6 assists in 44 games in all competitions were not enough to convince Barça to keep him, especially since the club did not have the means to recruit him and pay his salary. João Cancelo proved to be much more reliable despite his performance in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG. The Culés tried to get him on loan again but Manchester City demanded a direct transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy, beyond Barça’s means.
