Barcelona’s season slightly derailed in November after a strong start and questions have been raised over the lack of high-quality squad depth in certain positions.
With several players only now recovering from long-term injuries, however, the situation is expected to improve in the coming weeks and there is no plan to make any big signings in January.
If everything goes to plan and there is no major injury setback, the Blaugrana will not turn to the winter transfer market as Hansi Flick is satisfied with the squad at his disposal.
Yet, there are other major targets for the window as relayed by SPORT.
Registrations
Barcelona only provisionally registered the likes of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in La Liga at the start of the season owing to a lack of space on the financial front.
With the players’ registrations running out at the end of the year, it is the board’s priority to ensure that Flick can count on the duo next month.
As of today, it is not assured that Barcelona will be able to register the duo, but the club ask for patience and faith and are working hard to ensure they can bring in the required funds.
The sponsorship deal with Nike has brought the Catalans closer to the 1:1 rule and the freedom to register Olmo and Victor, but there is still a need for an injection of funds that Joan Laporta is working on. The club are confident they will make it work.
Renewals
Pedri and Gavi’s renewals a priority. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
If registrations are one of Barcelona’s priorities, the club are also eyeing closing key renewals next month to tie down mainstays for the long term.
They intend to announce the renewals of Gavi and Pedri until at least 2029, both of whom are integral under Hansi Flick.
While the former is coming back well from an ACL injury and has looked confident, Pedri has overcome his injury fragility and is now a regular starter through the 90 minutes.
An agreement with the players is easy to reach but the challenge for Laporta and Co. is ensuring that there is sufficient space on the financial front to register their new contracts. That, in itself, would be the club’s biggest signing.
Departures
Could Ansu leave in January? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
As it stands, Flick does not wish to part ways with any player in his squad as he sees the calendar to only get more gruelling as the months pass.
Yet, the club will open the door for Ansu Fati to leave if the player deems it right for his future. If the youngster feels he wishes to prioritise playing for another club with guaranteed prominence, he will be allowed to leave.
With the winger now close to returning from injury, the manager may look to give him more minutes as part of rotations. The final decision rests with Fati.