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FC Barcelona’s Summer Transfers In A Nutshell

By Sarah Salahpour

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 20: Nelson Semedo of FC Barcelona looks back during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou stadium on August 20, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 20: Nelson Semedo of FC Barcelona looks back during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou stadium on August 20, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Although FC Barcelona managed to sign Dortmund’s wonder kid Ousmane Dembélé, this summer transfer window will go down as one of the worst in the club’s history. From Neymar ditching the team for a world record move to PSG to the long and tiring saga of signing Coutinho, many Barca fans will try their best to forget about these past couple months.

First, on the list is Neymar. On August 3rd, the Brazilian striker made a surprising move to France’s elite club, PSG, leaving the world in shock. Ligue 1 champions paid a whopping €222 for the 25-year-old, making him the world’s most expensive player.

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 04: Neymar salutes the press as he arrives to pose with his new jersey after a press conference with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi on August 4, 2017 in Paris, France. Neymar signed a 5 year contract for 222 Million Euro. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 04: Neymar salutes the press as he arrives to pose with his new jersey after a press conference with Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi on August 4, 2017 in Paris, France. Neymar signed a 5 year contract for 222 Million Euro. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /

His departure from the club was heavily criticized by Barca’s board and journalists all over the globe due to Neymar’s failure to speak out on his transfer deal, as he kept all the details hidden until the last possible day.

Many culés have shunned the player on social media after the former Santos forward handled PSG’s deal in secrecy, embarrassing the Catalan Club. Nonetheless, the player has moved on and described his reasoning to pen a deal with the Parisians as a “new challenge.”

Next, is Barca’s failed attempt to sign Philippe Coutinho from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. With 222 million euros in the club’s pocket, you would probably think they would go after some big names to amplify Ernesto Valverde’s squad, right? Wrong.

Well, to be honest, Barca’s officials did try to bring the lethal striker to Camp Nou, but they failed miserably putting Bartomeu and his board in a very unstable condition, with doubts arising about his continuity as president.

In a recent press conference, Sporting Director Albert Soler claimed Liverpool offered their player for €200 million on the final transfer day, telling the press, “Liverpool were asking for 200m and logically we didn’t accept that. We thank the player for the efforts he made because he did make a big effort and showed he wanted to play for us. The situation ended as it ended and there is nothing else we can do.”

However, the English side was quick to shut down these remarks made by Soler, as the Premier League club declared that at no point was Coutinho ever for sale. All said and done, Barca failed poorly and were unable to bring the player to Catalunya.

Besides the awful and embarrassing attempt to sign a deal with Liverpool’s golden boy, the Blaugranas managed to close a €35 million deal with Benfica right back Nelson Semedo.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 07: Nelson Semedo of FC Barcelona conducts the ball during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Chapecoense at Camp Nou stadium on August 7, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 07: Nelson Semedo of FC Barcelona conducts the ball during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Chapecoense at Camp Nou stadium on August 7, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /

Since Dani Alves’ departure from Barcelona, the team has been struggling to find a proper right back and it seems like the 23-year old is the perfect fit after a sparkling La Liga debut against Real Betis.

During Joan Laporta’s presidency Barca was all about homegrown players, as they avoided signing outside players in order to keep the club’s philosophy, but unfortunately, it seems as if the board is straying away from that concept.

Nowadays, the Catalan side is constantly looking to buy players from other teams rather than bringing in their talented La Masia boys to the first team. However, that was not the case for one of the club’s signings this summer.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 07: Gerard Deulofeu of FC Barcelona enters the pitch ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Chapecoense at Camp Nou stadium on August 7, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 07: Gerard Deulofeu of FC Barcelona enters the pitch ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Chapecoense at Camp Nou stadium on August 7, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /

Home grown player Gerard Deulofeu has returned from Everton on a €12 million deal and is looking to find his spot in the starting lineup this season. In addition, Barca B’s Marlon Santos has been loaned to Nice for two years with an option for the Catalans to bring him back after 12 months. Munir El Haddadi has also been loaned on a one-year deal to La Liga team Alaves in the last final hours of the transfer day.

Another signing that has left culés covering their eyes in disbelief has been Paulinho’s 40 million euro deal with the Blaugranas. Barcelona came to an agreement with Guangzhou Evergrande for the Brazilian playmaker, signing the 29-year-old to a four-year deal.

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 10: Paulinho of Brazil celebrates a scored goal during a match between Brazil and Argentina as part of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Mineirao stadium on November 10, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 10: Paulinho of Brazil celebrates a scored goal during a match between Brazil and Argentina as part of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Mineirao stadium on November 10, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /

Many claim Paulinho’s purchase was based on politics and money, not understanding why the board would go through with such a deal.

This absurd signing has forced another gifted homegrown player Sergi Samper to exit the club, as the 22-year-old joined Las Palmas on a one-year loan. Furthermore, Barcelona flop Douglas Pereira has also departed from the club on a one-year loan to the Portuguese club Benfica.  

And last but not least, the signing that has made Barca fans forget about the humiliating summer transfer window is Ousmane Dembélé. The 20-year-old happily agreed to a five-year contract with Messi and Co. for an astonishing €145 million.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Ousmane Dembele of France celebrates as he scores their third goal during the International Friendly match between France and England at Stade de France on June 13, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Ousmane Dembele of France celebrates as he scores their third goal during the International Friendly match between France and England at Stade de France on June 13, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

The skillful striker was more than excited to have signed with the club of his dreams, telling the press, “I’m really pleased to form part of the Barca family. I have always wanted to play for Barca since I was a kid. I watched all their matches. I’m really happy to now be part of the best club in the world with the best players in the world. I hope to win lots of trophies and titles here. I’m hoping for a good, successful year and looking forward to playing here in this stadium.

“Visca Barca, Visca Catalunya.”