With La Liga practically decided, FC Barcelona has started to make moves in the market. Hansi Flick, Joan Laporta, and Deco are working behind the scenes to advance strategic operations.
The new German coach has made it clear since his arrival that he wants a defensive pivot to start his project. The sports management has found an opportunity in the national market that they didn't want to pass up.
Zubimendi and Kimmich, two impossibles for economic reasons
For months, Barça has had priority names to strengthen the midfield. Flick wanted to build from a profile like Joshua Kimmich or Martín Zubimendi, both with great range and leadership.
However, the club's economic limitations have made any high-cost operation unfeasible. Zubimendi didn't want to leave Real, and Bayern doesn't plan to negotiate for less than 60 million.
Meanwhile, as Barça studied alternatives, Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid was also moving in the same direction. The Basque coach, who is already working on the planning of the white team, had verbally closed a priority reinforcement.
It was a young, national pivot with a very defined tactical profile: aggressive, technical, and with positional intelligence. Everything was agreed for his arrival at Castilla... until Barça crossed paths.
The lightning operation that leaves Xabi Alonso without a response
In the last 48 hours, the blaugrana sports management has activated its emergency plan to sign the player. According to internal sources, contacts were accelerated, conditions were improved, and a place in the Barça B team was guaranteed.
Xabi Alonso has been outdone. Although he had the word of the player's entourage, he couldn't match the final offer. Barça not only offers minutes but a perfect environment for talent development.
In recent months, Flick has incorporated young talents from the academy like Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal. The message is clear: if you show your level, you play. Now, with this new signing, the competition in the midfield increases.
Deco believes that the player can coexist perfectly with Bernal and Casadó, enhancing the rotation in that area. The idea is for him to do the preseason with the first team and start competing from the B team.
An ideal profile for the blaugrana play style
The player in question stands out for his positioning ability, his decision-making in ball distribution, and his maturity. He has a strong physique, good long pass, and, above all, the personality to lead the game from the back.
In matches with his current team, he has already shown that he can make a difference even against higher-category opponents. Barça believes that, with time and work, he can be a natural replacement for the most delicate position in the system.
From Valdebebas, they already acknowledge that they have lost one of the key pieces of Xabi's future project. The disappointment is twofold: they not only wanted him for the B team but also as part of the generational change in the midfield.
Florentino Pérez didn't expect this blow so early in the summer planning, and they are already looking for urgent alternatives. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, satisfaction reigns: they have secured a signing for the future... and weakened the rival.
He goes to Barça and not to Madrid
It's official: Daniel Fernández, a 17-year-old defensive midfielder, signs for FC Barcelona. The player, coming from Tenerife, had a verbal agreement with Real Madrid... but has decided to change course.
He will play in the B team but will do the preseason with Hansi Flick. The club is convinced they have made the right choice. Xabi Alonso, who considered him a priority, already knows that he has lost his first battle as the white coach.