The onset of this season’s summer transfer window bred uncertainty as well as some excitement as to what can Barcelona President Joan Laporta do to save the club from the ongoing financial disaster. Lionel Messi’s renewal was probably a top priority.
Shifting and offloading high wage earners who contributed very little on the pitch was another agenda in Laporta’s book. The influx of new faces that would rejuvenate the squad filled the cules with enthusiasm and fresh hope.
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However, the dreams envisioned by the fans came shattering down when the reality of the perilous finances sank in. Then, the news emerged that sent a shockwave across the globe. Despite his desire to stay at Barcelona and doing everything possible from his end to sign, Barcelona failed to tie down Messi to a new contract because it would’ve have been impossible to accommodate the salary of the Argentine without exceeding the La Liga regulations.
Even after letting go of Messi, Barcelona’s wage to revenue ratio stood at 95%. A very unhealthy state of the club, Blaugrana needed to get rid of aging and unfit players with high wages.
On the other hand, Barca snapped up players from the free agent market but were in dire need to reduce the wages, in order to just register the new players. Gerard Pique’s gesture of taking a big pay cut allowed the new signings to be registered with La Liga. Nonetheless, there was enough transfer drama throughout the summer especially on the transfer deadline day as Antoine Griezmann completed a move to Atletico Madrid.
Here is the complete Barcelona transfer window recap:
Barcelona Departures:
Lionel Messi
Perhaps the one will hurt the most is the departure of Lionel Messi. A young boy who came from Rosario and bent the destiny to his own will, unarguably the greatest of all time, left Barcelona after 21 years. Following the failure to re-sign Messi due to the financial limitations, the Argentine signed for PSG on a free transfer reuniting with Neymar.
The 34 year old’s departure, will surely affect Barcelona’s market value and brand image with estimations of Barca being deprived of around 137 million euros in the commercial and sporting sector. But, the separation has also given Barcelona some margin in the wage bill. As per a report, the Argentine pocketed anywhere close to 70 million to 90 million euros per season.
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann was the second highest earning player after Messi, pocketing close to 35 million euros a year. His sale earlier could’ve probably allowed Barcelona to keep Messi but Atletico Madrid played it out very smartly, taking advantage of Barca’s desperation and going for him on transfer deadline day. Griezmann has moved back to Atletico Madrid, reuniting with Diego Simeone after two seasons at Camp Nou, scoring 35 goals and assisting another 17 in 102 appearances, a poor return for the 120 million euros the Catalans paid as release clause.
The Frenchman has joined the Los Rojiblancos on a loan with obligation to buy with Atleti covering his entire wages and paying 40 million euros to Barca to make the move permanent next summer.
Emerson Royal
The case of Emerson Royal is a bit complex and rather baffling. Barcelona and Real Betis co-bought him from Atletico Mineiro in 2019. The players was sent out on loan to Betis and if Barcelona were to completely own the player’s rights in 2021, they had to pay 9 million euros to Los Verdiblancos. Laporta sanctioned the 9 million euro transfer and the Brazilian arrived to compete with Sergino Dest.
However, Tottenham’s interest in Emerson grew and after making just 3 appearances for Barca, the 22 year old moved to Spurs even though his initial desire was to stay in Catalonia and succeed. Following, Barcelona’s need to generate funds to balance the books, Emerson was sold for 25 million euros.
Junior Firpo
Another signing of Josep Maria Bartomeu era that failed to make any sort of mark at the Camp Noy, Junior Firpo left Barcelona, joining Leeds for 15 million euros. The Dominican was considered an understudy to Jordi Alba but Firpo flattered to deceive. He was just a squad rotational player under Ronald Koeman.
Getting rid of a player who wouldn’t make his way to the manager’s plans was rather some good business done by the club but they did incur a loss on this deal as the Blaugrana had paid 20 million euros to Real Betis in 2019.
Ilaix Moriba
The Ilaix Moriba saga turned ugly and sour. As per the narrative, Moriba’s agents demanded an astronomical salary rise for their client which Barca refused. The offered contract was not acceptable and soon it was made clear from Barca’s side that if the player doesn’t sign a new deal he will spend the remaining year in the stands.
The Catalans were open to selling the midfielder and finally struck a deal with RB Leipzig for 16 million euros plus six million euros in variable payments. Furthermore, the Blaugrana will receive 10% of any future sale value.
Carles Alena
Carles Alena, a La Masia product, finally gave up on making it to the Barcelona first team on a consistent basis and was seeking greener pastures. Alena moved to Getafe for a modest fee of €5 million but Barcelona reserve 50% of the fee in case of any future sale.
Juan Miranda
Juan Miranda’s contract ran down with Barcelona this summer as the club opted against activating a clause in his contract that would have extended Miranda’s contract till 2023. The Spaniard has joined Real Betis on a free transfer.
Monchu
Following his contract expiry, central midfielder Monchu left Barcelona to join Granada on a free transfer. The La Masia youngster failed to make an impression and earn a place in the first team.
Francisco Trincao
Francisco Trincao was signed from SC Braga for 31 million euros to add flair to the flanks. The young Portuguese is a nimble footed winger with exceptional dribbling skills and pace. Ronald Koeman played a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 in the second half of the last campaign where Trincao didn’t fit tactically. In need of funds, Barcelona offloaded the 21 year old, loaning him to Wolves who have an option to buy for 29 million euros. Barca also received a 6 million loan fee.
Jean-Clair Todibo
Jean-Clair Todibo’s time at Barcelona is cryptic and tough to decode. He arrived as a young prospect, even deemed as a potential long term successor to Gerard Pique. The Frenchman was a reliable ball carrier and an excellent distributor but he never got proper opportunities to showcase his skillsets.
Three half loans to Schalke 04, Benfica and OGC Nice did hamper his confidence but by this time it was clear that if Todibo was to have a successful career, it wont be at Barcelona.
Following an impressive loan spell at Nice, the 21 year old made a permanent switch to the French club as Barcelona received 8.5 million euros in transfer fees.
Rey Manaj
Rey Manaj was registered with the first team this season but has now been loaned to Serie A side Spezia. The Italian outfit will pay 0.3 million as loan fees and cover the forward’s wages for the 2021-22 season. Spezia also have the option to make the deal permanent by paying addition 2.7 million euros next summer.
Matheus Fernandes
In an ugly showdown, Barcelona terminated the contract of Matheus Fernandes without even having a single conversation with the Brazilian. The player later revealed how he was left betrayed and was not given fair professional treatment. Following his termination, he joined Palmeiras.
Barcelona Arrivals:
Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay arrived on a free transfer to FC Barcelona after seeing out his contract at Olympique Lyon. Following Messi’s departure and Griezmann’s exit, Depay will be at the centre stage, inheriting the role of Barcelona’s attacking lynchpin. Depay has started his Barcelona career in electric fashion and has been one of the top performers for the team despite the bland and substandard performances of the team.
Sergio Kun Aguero
Sergio Aguero arrived to play with his beloved friend Lionel Messi but sadly Messi had to leave the club. The striker will provide depth in attack and if he can remain fit, he’s one of the most clinical forwards available. The player is currently out injured will return in October.
Eric Garcia
Aguero was joined by Eric Garcia as the free agent arriving from Manchester City. Barcelona’s troubled defences have often been left exposed. Garcia, a former La Masia product, has returned to Barcelona, after spending four years at Man City, mapping a similar trajectory to Gerard Pique who also spent time in Manchester, albeit the red half.
Yusuf Demir
Yusuf Demir arrived on loan at Barca B with the club having the option to make his deal permanent for 10 million euros. The Turk was highly impressive in the pre-season and Koeman thinks of him as a very talented, burgeoning youngster who will definitely play a part in the senior team.
Emerson Royal
Perhaps, it is weird to mention Emerson in the list of players bought and sold in the same transfer window. Barca bought the Brazilian from Real Betis and sold him to Spurs in the same window.
Luuk de Jong
Luuk de Jong arrived on loan from Sevilla on transfer deadline day
, potentially as a replacement to Griezmann who left for Atletico Madrid. The 31 year old is probably not the most popular choice but it is a harmless loan where Barca will cover his wages. Koeman wanted to add another forward and he had his wish fulfilled as the manager will now have the Dutchman in his ranks.
Which was the best piece of transfer for Barcelona this summer?