Daily Deals: Barcelona agrees to sign youth defender from MLS club

What's the need?

With Ronald Araujo recently sidelined for two months due to a muscle injury and uncertainty surrounding the future of Mikayil Faye, Barcelona's center-back depth is looking thin at the moment.

That leaves the Catalans with Andres Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde as the established center-backs available. Now, Cubarsi won't be doing the preseason with the club due to his Olympic duties, and Kounde won't be available early as his French side is in the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2024, where they face Spain.

Thus, for the preseason and the first few matchdays of La Liga 2024/25, Barcelona needs to solve this little center-back crisis to not fall behind in the title race.

Player Profile:

Mamadou Fall, better known as Mbacke, is a Senegalese center-back who joined FC Barcelona initially on loan from Los Angeles FC in the 2022/23 season.

Featuring 22 times for Barca Atletic in the Primera Federaccion, Mbacke helped the team keep clean sheets while scoring two goals for the club. Like his compatriot, Mikayil Faye, the 21-year-old is known for his strength and game awareness as a defender.

Currently, Mbacke is recovering from an ankle injury he sustained towards the end of the season, with five matches to go, meaning the youngster would return to action in September for Rafa Marquez's side.

Economics of the deal:

Initially brought on loan, Barcelona had agreed to a €4M buy option with Los Angeles FC for the Senegalese defender. After seeing the end of his loan on 30 June, the Catalans decided to negotiate with the MLS side to bring the transfer fee down. According to recent reports from journalist Toni Juanmarti, this decision has worked out well.

Economically, Barcelona negotiated with Los Angeles FC for €2M for signing Mbacke. On top of that, the MLS side retains a percentage of any future sale for the defensive starlet.