Alemany, the great architect of Barça in its dominance of the 'free agent' market

The imminent arrival of Ílkay Gündogan supposes a new big signing for the FC Barcelona in the market of the 'free agents'. The problems with the Fair Play financial have forced to the club to bet by signings 'low cost', but the sportive direction, with Mateu Alemany in command, has attained to close several reinforcements 'top' that few expected could arrive free to the City Condal.

Mateu Assumed like director of football of the Barça in March of 2021. This year produced the exit of Leo Messi in summer and, in spite of the economic problems, the directive attained to convince to Sergio 'Kun' Aguero and to Memphis Depay to get dressed of Barcelona. The Argentinian had bad fortune, since a cardiac problem forced his retreat in November of 2021. By his part, the Dutch never attained to strengthen in the XI and finish leaving to the Athletic of Madrid in January of this year.

The first signings of the summer 2022 also arrived free

After a toneless beginning in the 2021/22, the Barça added four reinforcements in winter (Dani Alves, Ferran Torres, Adama Traoré and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang). So much the Brazilian like the gabonés arrived free and this last finish being the best reinforcement of this market, leaving a grata image during the semester that remained in the club.

Before finalising the season, the directive culé 'tied' to Franck Kessié and to Andreas Christensen, the two first reinforcements for the 2022/23. The Danish was the one who more played in the season, keeping the level exhibited in his last years in Chelsea. The marfileño had less continuity, but went an effective spare in League and, for the moment, his continuity keeps on being an option. On the end of the market veraniego arrived Marcos Alonso, another valuable addition to 'cost zero'. The Madrilenian has not been headline, but his renewal is pactada and has to close this month.

The Barça repeated his formula in the summer 2023

In the middle of the rumours on his course to the Aston Villa, Mateu Alemany attained to close the signing of Iñigo Martínez, a defender that the Barça carried several years looking for. The one of Ondarroa will sign in the weeks to come and, beside Ílkay Gündogan, have turned into the first reinforcements for the 2023/24. Both will arrive free, but have reserved a clause liberatoria in case that LaLiga block his registration before beginning the season.

With this, the Barcelona directive confirms his capacity to close big signings without spending money. The players know that, in the Barça, probably will have an inferior wage compared with other clubs. However, Mateu Alemany has devised them to him to convince them to add to the sportive project that heads Xavi Hernández. In spite of the crisis, the Barça follows having a lot of 'tug'.