Barcelona faces the final days of the transfer window with a clear certainty: the team still needs more. The victory at Son Moix against Mallorca helped start La Liga on the right foot, but it also left some doubts. The squad is short on resources and Flick insists that an attacking player with the ability to unbalance is still missing.
The loan of Marcus Rashford was met with enthusiasm, but it doesn't solve all the problems the German coach has. The Englishman generates excitement because of his name and career, although the club admits that he isn't a definitive solution. No one knows how he'll respond in a context of maximum demands and with so much competition ahead.
An immediate reinforcement, not a stopgap
Flick wants a proven player who can deliver immediate results and fit into the blaugrana playing style. In his opinion, the squad can't depend solely on Lamine Yamal's dribbling or Raphinha's occasional inspiration. A player is needed who can provide consistency, unpredictability, and goals from day one.
Barça, after several meetings with Deco and the sporting committee, has concluded that the investment is unavoidable. Unlike other recent summers, there's now some capacity to undertake a major operation. The key has been possible departures, such as Oriol Romeu or Iñaki Peña, which will provide financial breathing room.
The club also knows that the window doesn't allow for mistakes: there's no room for experiments or improvised loans. For this reason, a name that's always been liked and is now available has been put forward. He's a footballer who already knows LaLiga and whose adaptation to Flick's Barça would be immediate.
A high figure, but necessary
Real Sociedad has insisted for months that it won't let its star leave for less than the release clause. However, talks are progressing and from Barcelona the intention to reach €45 million has already been communicated. It's a high investment, but the sporting management understands that it's fully justified.
The player has told those around him that he wants to take a competitive leap and test himself at a top club. He knows that he's already given everything at Anoeta and that his ceiling is at a club with greater ambitions. The possibility of sharing a locker room with some of the best young players in the world is especially appealing to him.
At Barça, they see the operation as a strategic move, providing both immediate results and a future. His youth makes him a long-term asset, while his experience in Spain eliminates adaptation risks. Deco and Flick agree that he's the ideal reinforcement to strengthen a wing in need of unpredictability.
Flick's chosen one
The German coach has already made it clear to the board that he needs this signing to compete in all competitions. The Champions League, above all, requires having a squad with alternatives and profiles capable of making a difference. A creative winger, with dribbling skills and goal-scoring ability, is exactly what's missing to complete the puzzle.
Talks with Real Sociedad are ongoing, but inside the club there's optimism: the deal is practically on track. The €45 million seem enough to convince the San Sebastián club, which is already working on replacements to avoid being weakened. Everything points to the official announcement being a matter of days.
Finally, the secret is revealed: Barça is willing to pay €45 million ($45 million) for Takefusa Kubo. The Japanese international is Flick's big bet, as he considers him the best possible reinforcement in this market. With his arrival, Barça hopes to have found the perfect partner for Lamine and the complement it so badly needed.
