The FC Barcelona board is optimistic about financial matters in the short and medium term. Beyond the uncertainty generated by the presentation of the 2024/25 budget that Joan Laporta will present next Saturday to the members, in addition to the losses derived from the 2023/24 financial year, there is confidence about the possibility of closing the year back to normal. 1/1, a key factor to be able to reinforce the first team in the next summer market.
However, 'low cost' alternatives continue to be a priority for the future, since the club still does not have the necessary cash flow to face large transfers, even balancing the wage bill. Barça will depend on some important sale or the payment derived from a 'lever' to make a large purchase and, facing the summer of 2025, there are interesting options that could reach 'zero cost', a route that the board has taken advantage of in the recent years to strengthen itself.
Thomas Partey and Jonathan Tag, two Deco wishes
In that sense, 'Relevo' mentions two names that the Barça sports director, Deco, really likes. The first is Thomas Partey, a footballer that the former Portuguese international wanted to sign in both 2022 and 2023, but Mikel Arteta ruled out his departure from Arsenal, where he has been undisputed for the last four years. The Ghanaian's contract ends in July and, for now, he remains elusive to renew. At 31 years old, the former Atlético de Madrid midfielder has become one of the best pivots in English football.
Another alternative on the radar of the culé sports management is Jonathan Tag. Like Partey, the German international is in the last year of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen, where he has established himself as a top centre-back under Xabi Alonso. The defender will turn 29 in February and seems ready to make the leap to the big game. If Barça decides to leave one or two of its centre-backs, the one from Hamburg would be a very valuable replacement for Hansi Flick, who knows him very well after his time with the German team.
Barça has a third free option in 2025 on the table
Along with the German defender and the Ghanaian midfielder, there is a third option in the free agent market that is very attractive for Barça. This is Jonathan David, who is leaving for Lille (he has 9 goals and 2 assists in 13 games) and could be an ideal replacement for Robert Lewandowski in 2025. Although the Pole has his continuity on track, the club needs to incorporate another '9' to cover the backs of the Warsaw player and the Canadian, at 24 years old, would be ready to take on the challenge, as long as he rules out renewing with Lille.