Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club will be able to sign players “normally” in the upcoming January transfer window. This news comes after a summer transfer window filled with registration problems that affected the team’s ability to use some of their new signings at the start of the season. Laporta stated that they plan to reach LaLiga’s 1:1 rule before January, which will put them in a better position to sign and register players seamlessly.
Laporta mentioned that while they are currently content with the squad they have, the club’s sporting director, Deco, and his team are actively analyzing the team’s needs in the medium and long term. He emphasized their satisfaction with securing the signing of Dani Olmo, their priority target, and assured fans that they could make significant signings in the future. Laporta stressed that the main issue has been registration with the league, but reaching the 1:1 rule will alleviate this challenge.
The LaLiga 1:1 rule will allow Barcelona to allocate any savings from wages, transfer fees, or new revenue streams towards player acquisitions. Laporta expressed confidence that with the renegotiation of the club’s contract with Nike, they would be able to rectify their financial discrepancies. He stated that the upcoming deal with Nike would be groundbreaking in the world of football and would contribute to achieving financial stability.
Laporta addressed the departure of Ilkay Gündogan to Manchester City, clarifying that the decision to let the player go was solely based on sporting reasons. Despite Gündogan’s comments about potentially helping the club financially, Laporta highlighted that economic factors were not the primary motivation for his exit. The departure of Gündogan, alongside other players like Vitor Roque, Mika Faye, and Clément Lenglet, opened up opportunities for registering players like Dani Olmo.
Barcelona faced challenges in making additional signings during the transfer window, with attempts to secure players like Stefan Bajčetić falling through. Amidst speculation about sporting director Deco’s frustration, Laporta reassured that there was no concern about Deco leaving the club. He commended Deco for his efforts in restructuring the team, appointing Hansi Flick as coach, and strengthening the squad. Laporta acknowledged the turbulent nature of the summer transfer window but expressed confidence in Deco’s contributions.
Despite the off-field challenges, Barcelona has enjoyed a positive start to the season, winning all four LaLiga games thus far. Laporta credited coach Hansi Flick for integrating academy players into the first team, highlighting the importance of La Masia in the club’s project. Flick’s emphasis on utilizing dynamic training methods and encouraging intense gameplay resonated with Laporta, indicating a positive trajectory for the team. Barcelona’s president praised Flick’s coaching philosophy and dedication to pressing until the final minutes of each match.
Joan Laporta’s insights provide a glimpse into Barcelona’s transfer strategies, financial ambitions, and on-field progress under new coaching leadership. The club’s ability to navigate registration challenges and plan for future signings demonstrates their commitment to sustainable growth and success in the upcoming transfer windows.