Xavi wanted reinforcements, but Barcelona can’t afford it. Financial fair-play is to blame

Barcelona will not bring any player in the winter transfer window. But it is not a voluntary choice, as Xavi has asked the management for reinforcements. However, the club can’t afford it due to financial fair-play issues.

Barcelona not strengthening in the transfer window? Under president Joan Laporta, an unimaginable thing so far. Because last winter, the club’s new boss felt that the squad was very weak and in extreme need of strengthening.

So he embarked on a major rebuild. Last winter, Adama Traoré, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Dani Alves and Ferran Torres arrived at Camp Nou. The first three came for free (Traoré on loan), Torres cost 65 million euros with bonuses.

Laporta spun the transfer carousel even more in the summer. Marcos Alonso, Héctor Bellerín, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessié arrived as free agents. In addition Raphinha (€58m), Jules Koundé (€50m), Robert Lewandowski (€45m) and Pablo Torre (€5m).

Now in January Barcelona subtracted two players, Gerard Piqué retired and Memphis Depay left for Atlético Madrid. Xavi has asked the management for more reinforcements and a replacement for Depay, only for the Catalans to be backed into a corner.

This is because financial fair-play does not allow the club to bring in new reinforcements. The club’s management is trying to find space and sell other players to make room, but the operation is unlikely to happen before the end of January.

The departure of Piqué and Depay will free up 15-20 million under the salary cap. Even so, Barcelona have no chance to sign anyone new as they are limited by the financial fair-play from La Liga.

Although sporting director Mateu Alemany is doing his best to find a solution, bringing in new reinforcements is now utopia. The club’s goal now is to try to extend four players::: Gavi, Balde, Araujo and Iñaki Peña.

Source: MARCA