- Pau Victor Signed: €2.5 million from Girona.
- Missed Targets: Chiesa, Bajcetic, Cancelo, Tah.
- Transfer window discussion on Tuesday.
Barcelona has rebutted Spanish media reports claiming that sporting director Deco is contemplating leaving the club following a challenging summer transfer window.
The club successfully acquired Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor this summer. However, their attempts to bolster the squad with a left winger, a holding midfielder, and a defender were hindered by ongoing financial difficulties.
Spanish sports newspaper Diario Sport reported on Sunday that Deco, who began his role last year, is now considering leaving the club due to the ongoing issues.
Barcelona has firmly denied claims made by Spanish sports newspaper Diario Sport on September 1, which suggested that sporting director Deco might be considering leaving the club. In a statement, the club expressed their strong support for Deco, emphasizing their satisfaction with his work and refuting the article, which emerged at the end of the transfer window.
Deco, who took up his role as sporting director last year, initially worked alongside Mateu Alemany and later on his own after Alemany departed the club in September. Despite Deco’s efforts, the club’s financial challenges have impeded his work.
Barcelona’s financial constraints are a result of LaLiga’s salary cap regulations, which limit spending based on revenue, debt, and non-sporting expenses. The club’s spending cap for the season was set at just over €200 million ($221 million), while their squad costs were estimated around €400 million.
Despite these restrictions, Barça successfully signed Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig for €55 million. However, due to financial issues, Olmo missed the first two games of the season while waiting for his registration to be processed. The club managed to register Olmo last week, utilizing a rule that allows them to exceed the spending limit when a player, like Andreas Christensen, is injured long-term.
Young forward Pau Victor joined Barcelona from Girona this summer for €2.5 million. However, sources told ESPN that the club had hoped to sign additional players.
Barcelona explored acquiring Federico Chiesa, who ultimately joined Liverpool, and made a late bid for Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic following Marc Bernal’s anterior cruciate ligament injury. The club also pursued João Cancelo, but the full-back signed with Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal. Additionally, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah was among the players linked with Barcelona.
Barcelona President Joan Laporta is scheduled to address the media on Tuesday to provide details about the club’s transfer window activities.
