A desired signing and several pending departures: Barcelona's 1x1 in the final stretch of the market

The FC Barcelona is facing the close of the summer transfer market with a significant amount of uncertainties. Why? As of today, with just over a week left for the summer 2024/25 transfer window to close, the Blaugrana team has not yet regularized its situation regarding rule 1/1, which prevents them from operating normally in terms of additions and also hinders them from registering players with ease.

At this point, despite the desire to acquire a 'top' left winger this summer, the Catalan side seems more focused on the 'exit operation'. In fact, the club has already managed to let go of a few players: Julián Araújo (sold for €10 million to Bournemouth), Chadi Riad (€9 million, with three corresponding to his transfer to Real Betis and six for 50% of his capital gain after his sale to Crystal Palace), Marc Guiu ('big clause' of €6 million by Chelsea), Estanis Pedrola (€3 million for goals achieved at Sampdoria), Sergiño Dest (transfer at no cost to PSV Eindhoven), and Oriol Romeu (loaned to Girona).

Despite all these departures, the situation remains similar and, so far, other exits like İlkay Gündoğan's are still not ruled out, who could leave for Manchester City at no cost, and Mika Faye's, whose sale, if carried out as stated by sports journalist Fabrizio Romano (€12 million + 25% future sales clause and a €35 million buyback clause for Barcelona), would be the most beneficial for the Barcelona team's finances.

Other departures that FC Barcelona is considering

Also, players like Clément Lenglet are likely to leave. Although it has not been revealed whether it would be through a loan or a transfer, it seems he could join Atlético Madrid. The possible departure of Vitor Roque is also mentioned, who, in contrast to what was announced at the beginning of the summer market, would be loaned to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis in a deal that would be a simple loan (with an option for another year) where the 'Green and Whites' would take on almost the entire salary.

Regarding potential defensive departures, there is uncertainty about letting go of one of the two center-backs: Eric García or Andreas Christensen. The former has serious chances of returning to Girona, where he would have a leading role and not on loan but transferred for a sum estimated between €15 and €20 million. On the other hand, the latter's departure is less clear, as although his main intention seems to be to stay at Barcelona, his goodbye in this summer transfer window is not ruled out if the offer is attractive enough (no less than €30 million) and convinces both the club and the player.

Strengthening the left winger and right-back, pending task for Barça

As for arrivals, it seems that the most solid option for the left winger is Federico Chiesa. The Genoese player is interested in joining the Catalan team, and the financial conditions (€15 million transfer fee and a salary of approximately €4.5 million) could make his incorporation possible. Although options like Nico Williams, Rafael Leão, and even Luis Díaz are still on the table, they seem unlikely at this point.

Finally, the signing of a right-back is still not clear. Although initially it was considered a priority to sign João Cancelo, the lack of agreement with Manchester City and the interest of other clubs could lead to his signing by another team. In this regard, the name of Marc Pubill, a right-back for UD Almería, has gained strength recently. The option for Barça to bet on youth players like Héctor Fort or Álex Valle is also being considered, although the situation of the latter is not the most favorable, as without a first-team contract and with a release clause of only three million euros, another club could activate it.