The market seemed closed for Barça, but the board still had an ace up its sleeve. Flick had been insisting for weeks on the need to strengthen the full-back positions, and he has finally achieved it.
The club has taken advantage of the opportunity offered by a young Premier League talent to shore up the defense. The deal was put together quietly and surprised everyone when it seemed impossible due to financial limitations.
An unexpected signing for the blaugrana defense
The full-back positions have always been a priority for the German coach, who is aware that the squad needed more depth. The season is long and demanding, with LaLiga and the Champions League marked in red on the calendar. That's why the club was looking for a young player capable of delivering immediate performance and having room for growth.
In recent days, several options had been considered, although many were unfeasible due to the high market cost. However, the Premier League always offers opportunities for young footballers willing to take a major step forward in their careers. Barça has managed to get ahead of other offers to close the deal.
The move not only responds to a tactical need, but also a strategic one within the long-term project. The blaugranas are looking for versatile profiles, with international projection and room for improvement to increase their value at Camp Nou. This way, the club is consolidating a clear commitment to footballers who can become key figures in the medium term.
The personal connection with Fermín
One of the most interesting details of this deal is the friendship that links the signing with Fermín. In the locker room, everyone highlights the good rapport that already existed between the two. This personal bond has been key to facilitating his arrival and ensuring a quick integration into the group.
The squad appreciates additions that contribute not only on the field, but also to the locker room atmosphere. Flick considers internal cohesion essential and values the fact that the relationship with Fermín could become a positive factor. In such a young team, personal chemistry is almost as important as footballing quality.
Barça is thus strengthening a delicate position, where the overexertion of some players had created a certain physical risk. Having a new alternative on the flank is a relief for the coaching staff, which gains more room for rotations. In addition, the club is meeting the demand to rejuvenate the squad without disproportionately compromising the finances.
An emerging talent in the Premier League
The Premier League is a complex and expensive market, but also the perfect showcase to find young talent. Barça's scouts had been following the development of this full-back for months, considering him one of the most promising. His performances in England attracted the interest of several clubs, including Liverpool, which tried to get ahead.
The Anfield side was watching his progress very closely, convinced that he could become its full-back of the future. However, negotiations became complicated and left open a window that Barça quickly took advantage of. In the end, the player has chosen to wear the blaugrana jersey, aware of the historic opportunity before him.
The cost of the deal is around ten million euros, an affordable amount in the current context. Chelsea, the owning club, accepted the transfer, understanding that it was the right time to close the sale. For Barça, it means investing in a footballer with immediate performance and the potential to establish himself in the elite.
The best-kept secret now has a name and confirms the surprise move by the sporting management. The young full-back arriving at Barça from the Premier League is Jack Hinshelwood, one of Brighton's great gems. At just 20 years old, he has become a regular in the Premier League and now lands in Barcelona.
His arrival is a relief for Flick, who had been demanding an urgent reinforcement before the market closed. The friendship with Fermín will make his adaptation easier and promises to give Barça a new weapon on the wing. Camp Nou is celebrating a return to smart signings: young, talented, and with a secure future.