The FC Barcelona board has signed a total of 22 footballers during Joan Laporta's second term. Of them, 12 are forwards, a fact that shows the president's desire to shield the Barça attack after the shock of Leo Messi's departure in the summer of 2021. Three years later, Barça still misses La Pulga, more beyond having made a significant expenditure on players who, for the most part, did not perform at the expected level.
After a summer where the club signed Sergio Agüero and Memphis Depay at 'zero cost', in addition to the loan of Luuk de Jong, in the winter of 2022 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (free), Adama Traoré (loan) and Ferran arrived Torres. That of Foiós was the first major expense of the Laporta management, with 55 million euros. Of the three, the Gabonese was the one who left the best figures in the semester. In addition to this, the attacker left money in cash with his departure to Chelsea the following summer (€12M).
In the 2022 summer market, Barça invested 158 'kilos' in eight reinforcements. Raphinha (58M) and Robert Lewandowski (€45M) were the two forwards chosen to give a leap in quality to a team that closed the previous season without titles. Both the Brazilian and the Pole have responded to the club's trust, beyond some criticism of their performance last year.
Joan Laporta's efforts to 'cover' Leo Messi's scoring quota
Last summer, Barça spent a fixed 30 kilos on the signing of Vitor Roque, although the Brazilian's arrival was postponed until January. In addition, the club incorporated Joao Félix through a loan that did not entail a direct expense, except for the Portuguese's emoluments (€4M). This year, again the attackers were the priority in a market absolutely limited by 'Fair Play'.
The club signed Dani Olmo in exchange for a fixed €55M, along with Pau Víctor (€2.5M). Despite Nico Williams' "no", the only reinforcements have been an important addition, especially the one from Terrassa, whose debut in LaLiga was stellar. In total, Joan Laporta has spent 245.5 million euros in three years to cover the scoring balance that the team has missed so much since the departure of Leo Messi. Although the records of Robert Lewandowski and the emergence of Lamine Yamal generate excitement for Barcelona fans, the president continues looking for the definitive 'crack' who will help him miss La Pulga less and less. With the Athletic Club star still in their sights, the board also dreams of Erling Haaland, waiting to return to the long-awaited 1/1 in the summer of 2025.