Barcelona has made a firm decision in one of the most talked-about moves of the market. According to this outlet, the club has decided not to enter the bidding for a young Argentine prospect. The decision comes after months of monitoring and internal analysis of his profile.
Joan Laporta | @FCBarcelona_es
Laporta and Deco prioritize what they already have at home
Joan Laporta seriously considered his signing, but chose not to compete in a multi-million euro auction. The key is that Barça already believes it has a superior player in the same position. Trusting their own talent has outweighed signing an emerging figure from abroad.
The club has clearly communicated that there's no room for profiles that overlap tactically. The decision has been both sporting and strategic, and it hasn't raised any doubts within the board. The principle of not repeating past mistakes with redundant signings prevailed.
Lamine Yamal in a match with Barça | @FCBarcelona
Meanwhile, Real Madrid has completed his signing from River Plate for more than €60 million. This is one of Florentino Pérez's strongest bets on young international talent. At Camp Nou, however, the reaction has been one of calm and conviction.
The Argentine player will arrive in a locker room full of competition, with the challenge of earning a spot quickly. Barcelona are watching his arrival in LaLiga without anxiety or fear over a move made by another club. They believe their own star currently surpasses any comparison in terms of immediate impact.
Lamine and his new look at the latest training session | @FCBarcelona
Differentiating profiles, key in sporting planning
Barcelona closely followed his development throughout the season, analyzing every step at River and the U-17s. The conclusion was that there was no tactical space or salary structure for two similar players. Already having an explosive left-footer with world-class potential tipped the scales.
The technical staff believe that the current first-team player offers more competitive guarantees and knowledge of the environment. The club needs to optimize every available euro, especially in such a tight transfer market. Investing in an external prospect made no sense when their own talent is performing at the highest level.
Joan Laporta at a press conference | @jlaportaoficial
Flick and Laporta agreed: spending more than €60 million on a left-footed forward wasn't a priority right now. With urgent needs in other positions like holding midfielder, full-back, and striker, the signing didn't fit. Sporting and financial logic prevailed over the desire to add a high-profile name.
Barça are looking to strengthen without jeopardizing their planning, betting on internal growth and selectivity in purchases. This decision consolidates a new paradigm: fewer signings for the name, more development of La Masia assets. A strategy that perfectly aligns the institutional message with the club's real moves.
A message of trust in the youth project
Barça's future in that area of the field already has a name and is not up for internal debate. From the first team to the youth ranks, the entire sporting model revolves around the development of this young gem. Joan Laporta has confirmed several times that he will be the central axis of the new Barça.
At just 17 years old, he has been key in the Champions League, has excelled at the Euros, and is already a global reference. Trusting him over any external name is a message of identity and faith in the academy. These are the kinds of decisions that define a long-term project with coherence.
The Argentine gem has ultimately chosen the Spanish capital to continue his growth in European soccer. He lands at Real Madrid under pressure to justify a major investment from the very first minute. His name is Franco Mastantuono, the talent that Barça decided not to sign because they fully trust Lamine Yamal.
