Barcelona president Joan Laporta has recently announced that the club is actively pursuing a midfielder in the upcoming January transfer window. Laporta expressed his desire to secure a player who can have a similar impact to Edgar Davids, who joined Barcelona on loan in 2004 and played a crucial role in the team’s revival that season. Laporta believes that adding another midfielder to the squad is necessary to compensate for the absence of young talent Gavi, who is sidelined until the end of the season.
Barcelona’s Need for a Midfielder
With Barcelona currently trailing LaLiga leaders Real Madrid by seven points, it has become apparent that reinforcements are needed. Laporta acknowledges that the absence of Gavi has created a void in the midfield that needs to be addressed promptly. The club initially planned to invest in a midfielder next summer, but Gavi’s injury has forced them to reassess their strategy and expedite the process.
Due to Barcelona’s financial difficulties, a permanent transfer for a new midfielder may prove challenging. Therefore, Laporta sees the loan market as a viable solution, just as they did almost 20 years ago with Edgar Davids. Laporta highlighted that they are already working on a couple of potential loan deals, which he hopes to finalize before the end of the year. This approach allows Barcelona to acquire the necessary reinforcements without impeding their long-term financial stability.
FIFA and LaLiga Support
Barcelona’s injury concerns regarding Gavi have not gone unnoticed by both FIFA and LaLiga. FIFA has assured the club that they will receive compensation for Gavi’s injury, which will help ease the financial burden caused by his absence. Additionally, LaLiga has agreed to provide Barcelona with some flexibility within their league-imposed restrictions to register a replacement player. These measures give Barcelona some maneuverability in the transfer market and enable them to secure a suitable midfielder.
When Barcelona signed Oriol Romeu last summer as a low-cost replacement for Sergio Busquets, they did not anticipate needing additional midfield competition. However, Romeu’s recent performances have highlighted the need for increased depth in this position. The club recognizes the importance of healthy competition within the squad and aims to find a midfielder who can push Romeu to perform at an even higher level.
In addition to their pursuit of a midfielder, Barcelona will be bolstering their attacking options with the arrival of Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque next month. This incoming transfer involves an initial fee of €30 million ($32.7 million), with an additional €31 million due in possible add-ons. Laporta expressed his eagerness to integrate Roque into the team as soon as possible, as the Brazilian striker is known for his goal-scoring abilities. Barcelona hopes that Roque’s arrival will provide a much-needed boost to their efficiency in the final third.
Barcelona coach Xavi, in his assessment of the team’s recent results, has identified a lack of efficiency in the final third as the main issue. Barcelona’s winless streak has stretched to three games, with their most recent result being a 1-1 draw against Valencia. With an upcoming match against winless Almeria and a friendly against Club América, Xavi is determined to address this concern and get the team back on track. Barcelona’s standing in the league and their progress to the round of 16 in the Champions League further emphasize the importance of immediate improvements.
Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has declared the club’s intention to reinforce their midfield in the upcoming January transfer window. With Gavi’s long-term injury and their struggle to keep up with LaLiga leaders Real Madrid, the need for a new midfielder has become evident. By exploring loan deals and leveraging support from FIFA and LaLiga, Barcelona aims to secure a player who can make a significant impact. In addition to their midfield pursuits, the imminent arrival of Vitor Roque provides hope for improved attacking efficiency. With concerted efforts from the team and coach Xavi, Barcelona seeks to overcome their recent challenges and achieve success both domestically and in European competitions.