Is the 'Leao dream' over? The reason why Barça won't be able to make any top signings until January

Another setback for FC Barcelona's transfer market planning. The Catalan club had not lost hope of signing a top winger like Rafael Leao or Nico Williams in the final stretch of the summer, but the Catalans have already ruled out making a last-minute 'express move' to generate financial 'fair play' and the 'dream' of a big star arriving in Barcelona can be considered finished.

Although the agreement with Nike is practically done, according to club sources who spoke to 'MARCA', it will not be included in this market and it is expected to be announced in the first days of September. This deal was transcendental, since, if it had been closed in time, it would have generated a significant salary margin that would have allowed for a significant transfer. The options of Williams or Leao would have been possible if the renewal with the North American multinational was made official, but this will be left for the winter window.

Another of the 'routes' studied in the offices of Spotify Camp Nou was the money missing from the sale of Barça Vision. Aramark had paid part of it a few weeks ago, but not all, which meant that the Catalans, in addition to not being in the 1/1 rule, were penalized for this non-payment. If the entire debt had been deposited, the club would have been free of the penalty and would have had some chance of signing a player in the market, although not a big signing.

Thus, at Can Barça they face the last two days of the transfer window with a minimum margin of maneuver. The Catalan institution still does not have enough 'fair play' to register players and the 'exit operation' has been hampered by numerous injuries. Deco is 'combing' the market in search of a last-minute 'bargain', with the arrival of a centre-back as the first objective (Jonathan Tah is the chosen one), although the alternative of a midfielder is also on the table after Marc Bernal's injury. Despite this, the options of signing, up to this point, are minimal.

The last 'card' of the board

The Blaugrana leadership has the option of a 'guarantee', but contrary to what has happened in past summers, the club's directors are not willing to continue putting their money to bring in more players. The option was on the table to register Dani Olmo since he was the star signing, but it does not seem that the same line will be followed in the case of a smaller signing.