FC Barcelona’s 2024/25 season began with a bang, as the club appeared invincible domestically and emerged as one of the favorites in Europe. The focus shifted away from off-field difficulties, and fans rejoiced at the onset of Flick-ball. However, with new challenges emerging and somewhat derailing their season midway through the campaign, the club knows it must consider bringing in reinforcements.
To understand the type of players Barcelona might target, it is essential to evaluate their current squad, which is arguably among the most exciting in Europe.
Barça boasts one of the youngest squads in La Liga, with new manager Hansi Flick placing full faith in the club’s La Masia talents. Players like Gavi, Marc Casadó, Pau Cubarsí, and Lamine Yamal have all become bona fide stars for the Catalan club.
Talento de la Masia 😍 pic.twitter.com/5tmhXKpER9
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) December 11, 2024
Veterans such as Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha have also revitalized the team in recent months.
However, in La Liga, where they had previously won seven games in a row, Barcelona has managed just one victory in their last seven matches. This dip in form has dropped them to third place, behind Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, both of whom have played one game fewer.
Going into the new year, Barcelona will be aiming to compete for all titles, with a particular focus on making a strong mark in Europe after falling short in recent years. Currently, they sit second in the standings, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Who will Barcelona target in the upcoming transfer window?
Over the last few years, Barcelona has struggled financially on multiple fronts. Mistakes made by the previous administration, including abusing the salary cap and holding off on sponsorship deals, have left the club’s accounts in disarray. This mismanagement led to difficulties in registering players like Lewandowski, Koundé, and others two years ago.
While President Joan Laporta has insisted that things are improving, Barcelona continues to face challenges with salaries, as several players remain on exorbitant contracts. As a result, the club lacks the funds to sign new players and is currently unable to meet their salary obligations.
This financial strain is one reason why the club has turned to La Masia graduates. While this approach has had some success, there is no guarantee that the young players will be able to deliver in high-pressure situations when the time comes.
Flick would love to bring in some new stars, but unfortunately, as the January 2025 transfer window approaches, Barcelona is not linked with signing any new players.
The danger of losing Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres
Barcelona could potentially lose players from their squad, starting with new signing Dani Olmo.
Barça paid €60 million to RB Leipzig for the Spaniard, and he has played a key role in strengthening the club’s midfield. However, there are registration issues that could prevent him from playing for Barcelona after January 3rd.
Barcelona will not make any winter signings.
All the attention is focused on being able to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.
— @sport pic.twitter.com/zaa5P3D6ib
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 25, 2024
A La Masia graduate, Olmo has scored six goals in 15 games so far this season, but when Barcelona signed him, they were unable to register him beyond the first half of the season.
At the moment, it looks difficult for Barcelona to resolve this, as the club is battling La Liga to get him registered. If he isn’t registered with La Liga, he won’t be eligible to play in Europe either. Earlier this week, sources reported that Olmo’s agents contacted Premier League clubs to discuss a potential transfer, which would be a significant loss for Barcelona.
On the other hand, Ferran Torres has also been linked with a move away. Valued at around €30 million, the forward has attracted interest from clubs across Europe, as he has rarely featured in the starting lineup under Flick. However, the German coach appreciates Torres and has insisted he looks forward to utilizing him effectively in the second half of the season.
Eyes on the New Season: Players Barcelona Could Sign
Title success is something Barcelona would crave this season, particularly because they are in dire need of a cash injection ahead of the upcoming campaign. While signing new players by spending tens of millions may still be difficult, Barcelona could turn their attention to some of Europe’s most exciting free agents.
1. Jonathan Tah
A defender long linked with Barcelona, Tah’s contract with Bayer Leverkusen expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, and he has already announced that he will not renew with the club. One of the most likely destinations for the German would be Barcelona.
2. Mohamed Salah
Potentially the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, stopping Mo Salah has been nearly impossible in the 2024/25 season. Top of both the Premier League and the Champions League, he has fired Liverpool closer to a double—something even Jurgen Klopp has yet to achieve.
Salah’s contract situation at Liverpool also looks uncertain, with reports of a disagreement over the terms being offered and what the Egyptian forward wants. If Salah decides to leave, Barcelona would be heavily interested in securing his signature.
3. Thomas Partey
A player who has been on Barcelona’s radar for some time, Partey’s physical presence in midfield could be invaluable for the club. So far, it looks unlikely that he will renew with Arsenal, and Barcelona would waiting to swoop in and sign him.
