Although FC Barcelona have made great use of the summer market, in the first phase of the season they are in two positions in which they have only one specialist: the midfielder and the forward. In the striker’s case, the arrival of Vitor Roque in January will help resolve the situation.
The two reinforcements that FC Barcelona have been missing this summer
FC Barcelona spent a modest amount of €3.4m during the summer transfer window. Despite this economic limitation, the club managed to strengthen significantly. Oriol Romeu, the midfielder, was the only acquisition that required a transfer fee. In addition to Romeu, Barcelona have signed Iñigo Martínez (free transfer), Joao Cancelo (on loan from Manchester City), Ilkay Gündogan (free transfer) and Joao Félix (on loan from Atlético de Madrid).
The board and coaching staff are satisfied with the results of the efforts made during the transfer period. However, the fact is that the team has to enter the first half of the season with a relatively small squad, consisting of 19 main players plus subsidiary players, and with deficits in two key positions: the midfielder and the forward.
In midfield, Oriol Romeu is the only player who fits exactly the profile Xavi Hernández wanted. After the departure of Sergio Busquets, Barcelona made efforts to sign players like Martín Zubimendi or Joshua Kimmich but these efforts were unsuccessful. Although Xavi appreciates Romeu, someone with a different style needs to take his place when the midfielder is absent. Zubimendi remains the club’s target for the summer of 2024.
As for the striker, the problem will be solved in January with the arrival of Brazilian Vitor Roque. Until then, Robert Lewandowski will be the only reference as a pure centre-forward, with subsidiary youngster Ángel Alarcón a potential replacement. Barcelona hope Roque will offer solutions to the lack of attacking depth when he joins the team in the winter transfer window. Ferran Torres is also an option to play as a 9.
