Analysis: Two Barcelona negotiations reveal hidden costs ahead of sales
Barcelona went into this summer with major hopes of being able to revamp their squad in a similar way to that of last season’s transfer window. Yet as July moves into its final third, the Blaugrana have expended just €3.4m to bring in just three players.
At the start of the window, there was plenty of talk that they needed €100m in sales, and of course that Lionel Messi could return. After the Argentine decided to head to Inter Miami, the bubble burst somewhat.
This does not mean to say that Oriol Romeu, Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez are not good signings; two will enforce good competition, while in Gundogan, the Blaugrana are bringing in one of the best midfielders in the world at the top of his game.
Yet they are still looking perilously short at right-back, and it appears Jules Kounde will be asked to cover there again. Their prospective back-up striker, Vitor Roque, will not arrive until January at the earliest unless there is a dramatic change of course.
The financial pressure is not only costing them on the pitch though. Barcelona are seeing that when they do business, it is on different terms to other teams. Following the exit of Antoine Griezmann for just €20m, and Samuel Umtiti for free, their upcoming sales look as if they will be affected too.
Sport say that Juventus target Franck Kessie will cost a minimum of €15m if they want to pry him from Barcelona, which is a fee that smacks of desperation. Value is obviously dictated by the market, but for a player that is a year removed from being a crucial part of the title-winning Milan side, at just 26 years of age, it seems rather on the low side.
La salida de Nico dejará unos 7-8M en caja, aunque aún se tratan algunos flecos y la cifra final puede bailar. Entre
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