Íñigo Martínez's departure to Al Nassr, where he'll share the locker room with Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, hasn't changed Barça's message. The board insists that it won't be necessary to go to the market to strengthen the center of the defense. They say the planning already included having four center-backs and they trust the current squad will be enough to face the season.
With four center-backs available: Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, and Ronald Araújo, Laporta and Deco believe Flick will be able to manage the resources.
Flick doesn't see it the same way
However, in the blaugrana environment, it's pointed out that Hansi Flick has a different view. The German coach, who's facing his second season in charge, believes that such a demanding campaign, with La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa, is too long to face it with only four defenders.
Flick knows that injuries and suspensions are inevitable in a packed schedule and that falling short of options in defense could be costly. Although he trusts the versatility of some players, he'd prefer to have a fifth center-back to guarantee rotations and keep the group's competitiveness.
Fair play limitations
Barça's financial reality makes any major operation difficult. As reported by El Nacional, the restrictions imposed by financial fair play would force any signing to be low-cost. That rules out big-name players and forces a focus on young profiles, with potential and a reduced cost.
The goal would be to bring in a footballer who can grow under Flick's guidance, who doesn't require a high investment, and who can quickly adapt to the style. The priority would also be a player who doesn't represent an excessive expense in the salary cap, which further limits the options.
Gerónimo Spina, the economic option
In this context, the name that has emerged most strongly is Gerónimo Spina. The 20-year-old Argentine center-back belongs to Atlético de Madrid and arrived two seasons ago from Estudiantes de La Plata.
The main appeal of Spina is his price: just half a million euros, a figure that's manageable even for Barça's current financial situation. In addition, his signing would not only strengthen the depth in defense, but would also allow a bet on a talent with room to grow. The final decision will depend on whether the club keeps its stance of not signing or if Flick manages to convince the board that a reinforcement is essential.