FC Barcelona Eyeing Multiple January Transfers for Squad Refresh, According to SPORT
FC Barcelona is reportedly planning to make some moves in the January transfer window, according to SPORT, citing anonymous sources. The Catalan giants have had a mix of good and bad news lately.
While Dani Olmo and Pau Victor are still waiting for La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to grant them licenses beyond December 31, the sale of VIP boxes for the renovated Spotify Camp Nou has allowed the club to return to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play (FFP).
Initially, it was expected that Barca would have a quiet January transfer market. However, the club's financial situation has changed, prompting them to meet with agents to discuss potential exits for several players in the coming weeks.
The fringe players, who don't feature heavily in head coach Hansi Flick's plans, are the primary targets for offloading. If these players are sold, it could pave the way for a new signing that could strengthen the first team as the season progresses.
Barca, currently five points behind Real Madrid, is still in the title race while also second in the Champions League's new-look league phase and alive in Spain's domestic cup competitions.
The potential sell-off list includes Ansu Fati, Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, and Ronald Araujo, according to Sporting News. Fati's limited game time and persistent injury issues, Garcia's interest from Girona, de Jong's pursuit of a lucrative free transfer, and Christensen and Araujo's contract situations are some of the factors bringing these players into the spotlight.
It remains to be seen if interested parties come in for these players and if Barca agrees to sell. Coach Flick, however, expressed a preference for keeping Garcia, stating, "I don't think he can go, he's a great player, he's very intelligent, he can play in several positions. He's a player we like and we're not thinking about the possibility of him leaving."
Hansi Flick has shown interest in keeping Eric Garcia at Barcelona, despite the defender's potential suitors, as the coach believes Garcia's intelligence and versatility make him a valuable asset for the team. If Garcia's move to Girona materializes, Barcelona might use the funds to bolster their squad, possibly bringing in a player like Hansi Flick's former protege, Dani Olmo, who is currently linked with Real Madrid, or Barbastro native Ansu Fati, who has also been rumored to be on the transfer list.
