Barcelona Transfer Deal Sheet: Anticipations for the January Transfer Window

Barcelona is unable to register some of their current players, much less any new additions — but that doesn’t imply January will be uneventful in the Catalan capital.

The club is in a race against time to register €60 million ($62m; £49m at current exchange rates) summer acquisition Dani Olmo along with fellow newcomer Pau Victor under La Liga regulations before the month concludes. This is their primary concern, as Olmo could depart for free if they do not meet the December 31 deadline. Barca has taken La Liga to court over the matter, with a conclusive ruling anticipated tomorrow, December 27.

Moreover, there are still players on the verge of leaving next month, alongside others that the club is monitoring closely to reinforce their squad as soon as its financial situation permits.

Here’s what to anticipate in January, featuring insights from sources who requested anonymity to protect their relationships.

What positions will they be targeting in January?

It’s hard to envision Barcelona making any new signings in January given their predicament, but they are aiming to bolster various positions for the summer and beyond.

They are seeking a No 9 to succeed Robert Lewandowski in the medium term. The 36-year-old is likely to remain at the club come summertime, as a one-year extension on his current contract will be activated once he plays more than 55 percent of available minutes this season. However, his role in the team is expected to gradually diminish, and coach Hansi Flick has frequently substituted him in games over the past month.

Lewandowski’s involvement in the team is expected to gradually decrease (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Additionally, they are eyeing the full-back position. Barca requires improved coverage on both flanks as they lack reliable substitutes for Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde. The 22-year-old Gerard Martin has struggled to match the pace of La Liga while playing left-back, whereas 18-year-old Hector Fort is a promising talent, albeit far from fully developed and occasionally inconsistent.

The club will also need to evaluate their goalkeeper options. Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending knee injury sustained in September raises concerns about how the 32-year-old German will recuperate. Back-up Inaki Pena has stepped in and has performed satisfactorily thus far.

Senior management is also monitoring centre-backs due to the contract situations of multiple players in that position. Inigo Martinez’s contract is set to expire in the summer, while Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia will enter the last 18 months of their contracts in January.

Which players are on the radar?

Barcelona has other pressing matters — specifically the Olmo situation — but some names have begun to circulate.

Jonathan Tah, positioned top right, is one of them. The 28-year-old Bayer Leverkusen centre-back is in the final year of his contract and anticipates joining another club on a free transfer next summer. This aligns with Barca’s signing strategy in recent years, which has seen them acquire Christensen, Franck Kessie, and Ilkay Gundogan on free transfers to navigate their challenging financial situation.

Germany defender Tah is also represented by Pini Zahavi, the same agent as Flick and Lewandowski, making him a key figure close to club president Joan Laporta.

Barca attempted to persuade Athletic Club and Spanish winger Nico Williams to join them last summer, but the player ultimately chose to remain at his childhood club in Bilbao. Local reports have associated the club with Milan’s Rafael Leao, but a wide forward isn’t among their immediate priorities, and it’s improbable that they could afford such a signing given their financial constraints.

Who might they sell?

Realistically, the club does not foresee offloading many, as there’s no certainty that they can fill the vacancies created by departing players.

If anyone is likely to leave Barca next month, it could be Garcia, positioned top left. The 23-year-old centre-back came close to departing last summer after a successful loan spell at Girona, but a last-minute injury crisis in defense caused Barca to reassess their strategy.

Now that Araujo and Christensen are nearing returns from injury, the centre-back position has become congested. Girona has expressed interest in re-signing Garcia and may make a competitive offer for his permanent transfer. Barca is not anticipated to obstruct Garcia’s move should he elect to leave.

De Jong could find himself up for sale in the summer (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In the summer, the list of names for potential sales is expected to be longer. Frenkie de Jong, Christensen, and even Araujo might become available for transfer. The club’s senior officials prefer not to retain any player with a year remaining on their contract beyond the summer, and all these players find themselves in that predicament.

Will anyone go on loan?

Again, it’s very unlikely, as Barcelona wouldn’t be able to replace any player loaned out with a signing.

What moves have they made already?

Wojciech Szczesny joined when the season had already commenced, with Barca persuading the 34-year-old goalkeeper out of retirement following Ter Stegen’s injury — but he has yet to see any game time with them.

Additionally, Barca has signed Mali’s promising teenage talent Ibrahim Diarra. The 18-year-old will remain with the second team, Barcelona Atletic, for the remainder of the season and is not expected to feature under Flick just yet.

Who will be making the critical decisions in January?

Signings at Barcelona primarily depend on two individuals: president Laporta and sporting director Deco.

Flick has adjusted to the club’s hierarchy. While he actively shares his views regarding potential signings or departures, he’ll also have to adapt to Barca’s financial realities.

Laporta and Deco are responsible for balancing the club’s opportunities and determining which deals should proceed.

What is their budget situation?

As The Athletic has previously stated, Barcelona’s challenge lies not in their budget but in their ability to register new players under La Liga policies, which impose salary spending limits based on the revenue a team generates, along with any debts and losses. Clubs exceeding their spending cap must unload salaries and find new revenue sources before being allowed to register new signings without restrictions.

The club believes the total amount required to comply with their salary limit imposed by the league — and thus be able to register new players without restrictions — is €60 million.

In this context, substantial spending is currently unfeasible.

(Top image: Garcia, Tah; by Getty Images)