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The final touches to Barca’s roster
While Barcelona’s first-half squad prepares for the season in England (missing players from the World Cup) and coach Hansi Flick assesses youth academy players, sporting director Deco is working hard to get the Blaugrana roster in shape as quickly as possible.
The competition starts in less than a month and the transfer window doesn’t close until August 31, so there’s still time, but this week is crucial for the sporting director to complete the remaining deals, both departures and arrivals.
According to the newspaper “Mundo Deportivo:Deko, who has to be present at the training camp today, Wednesday, works calmly and steadily to solve the existing problems.
In addition to the forward position, with the departure of Roberto Lewandowski and the uncertain fate of Ferran Torres’ contract.The status of several players with offers affects the likelihood of more deals before August 31st.
Five players in particular are at risk of leaving: Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado, Marc ter Stegen and Ronnie Bargi.
The loan deal for the German goalkeeper to Ajax was due to be completed a few days ago and it is clear that this will affect the signing of a new goalkeeper (an option that has been on the table for months) or the permanent promotion of one of the young goalkeepers that Flick is training in training camp.
In the same vein, Marc Casado realized last season that he had fallen down Flick’s midfield rankings and that a transfer could be in his favour, and with clubs interested, his situation could be decided during or immediately after pre-season training as the German coach begins to whittle down his large squad in England.
Balde finds himself in a similar situation as his situation is affected by the return of Cancelo, this time as a deal that will be completed after pre-season training.
Flick also has Gerard Martin as a versatile option (centre-back or wing-back) ahead of Balde, and also has Joffre, and Flick can decide that after he returns from England.
Araujo’s situation is the most complicated, as he is tied to a contract that runs until 2031, and he has always expressed a desire to see it through. He was close to moving in the past, but currently refuses to leave.
As for the departure of Ronny Barji, it is clear and acceptable to all parties, especially after the contract with Kareem Adeyemi. The question remains, is it a loan move or a final transfer with an option to buy back?
As for the level of transactions required within Barcelona, a striker is seen as a priority, while signing a centre-back depends on other factors such as Araujo leaving or whether Flick decides to give Alvaro Cortes the same chance he gave Gerard Martin.
