THE CULÉS ARE LOOKING AT THE FREE AGENTS MARKET
The 'bargains' that Barça could 'catch' once the transfer market has closed
Published:31/08/2024 - 09:47h
Updated:31/08/2024 - 10:30h
Although Barça were unable to secure a new signing in the final stretch of the transfer window, several free agents could enter the club's radar. Players such as Rabiot and Matts Hummels are still without a club and could be interesting opportunities for the Catalans
Once the agreement with Nike is closed, which would allow FC Barcelona to return to the 1/1 rule, and space is obtained in the financial 'fair play', the Catalan club could face the signing of a free player who could be available immediately after signing him in LaLiga. For this to happen, sources from the management have informed the newspaper 'SPORT' that the Catalan institution must regularize the situation of Olmo and Iñigo Martínez, registered due to the injuries of Araujo and Christensen, with the deal with the North American multinational being one of the ways to resolve this file.
At Can Barça they have three free players for the first team (numbers 12, 22 and 25) and due to the needs generated in Hansi Flick's squad by injuries and departures, it is likely that the chosen player will be a free player. In this sense, several players who are without a team could be an interesting option for the Blaugranas, who would be interested in strengthening the German's team without the obligation to pay a transfer fee.
The first of them would be Adrien Rabiot, who could reinforce the pivot after Marc Bernal's injury. The Frenchman is the free agent with the highest market value (35 million euros), and at 29 he would be happy to see his arrival in Barcelona. The Frenchman is not a priority for the Catalans, but he remains on the agenda of the Barça sports management, where his talent and experience are highly valued for a 'diminished' position in the Barcelona squad.
Three options for the central defence
The second free player with the highest market value is the Spanish centre-back Mario Hermoso (25M€). After the failed signing of Tah and the injuries to Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen, plus the fact that Eric could play as a pivot, the arrival of a defender in Barcelona would not be far-fetched. Hermoso is free, but it seems unlikely that he wants to wear the blue and red shirt, with Turkey knocking on his door to take him out of Spain.
Meanwhile, Matts Hummels remains without a team after his departure from Dortmund. At 35 years old, the German could offer one last service to his compatriot Hansi Flick, since, despite his age, the player showed last season that he is still a solid option in his position. Finally, Joel Matip remains a free agent after finishing his 7-year stint at Liverpool. At 1.95 metres tall and 33 years old, the Cameroonian could end up in a top European team and the Catalans would not lose sight of him.
