Joan Laporta and Deco keep setting Barça's course with a clear roadmap: youth, sustainability, and targeted reinforcements. However, in this measured approach, they have also let opportunities slip away. One of them, key for the attack, has been seized by a direct rival in the league: Atlético de Madrid.
While Hansi Flick prioritized strengthening the wings and the goal, the offensive area was relegated. The coaching staff considered that Robert Lewandowski can still perform for one more season and that Ferran Torres offered emergency solutions. As a result, the culé sporting management froze negotiations with a center forward who had been of interest since last January.
Atlético reacts quickly
Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid, led by Diego Pablo Simeone, has taken advantage of the situation with its characteristic pragmatism. In need of goals after a disappointing Club World Cup, the colchonero club has moved swiftly to secure a top-level reinforcement. Enrique Cerezo has given the green light to negotiate with determination.
Despite having players like Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth, Simeone wants more firepower. He wants a different profile, young and with international projection. He has conveyed this to Andrea Berta, Atlético's sporting director, who is already working to speed up the signing of a highly sought-after forward.
For months, several major clubs on the continent had been testing the waters regarding his situation. Among them, FC Barcelona, which had even considered including in the deal the rights to a player loaned to his current club. However, since it was not considered a priority, the blaugrana interest faded.
Ferran Torres, calm at Barça
One of the indirect beneficiaries of this situation has been Ferran Torres. The Valencian forward, who has had important minutes under Flick's command, keeps his position as a stable alternative in attack. The lack of direct competition has allowed him to approach the preseason with renewed confidence.
In addition, the signing of Nico Williams for the left wing strengthens the team on the outside, freeing Ferran to play inside. In the player's circle, there is a sense of satisfaction, since the arrival of the ultimately discarded forward would have limited his prominence. With a Club World Cup on the horizon, Ferran knows that every minute counts.
Barça, focused on Nico, Cancelo, and possible opportunities in midfield, has set aside the urgency to sign a "9." Flick has insisted that, for now, he trusts the versatility of the attack and Lewandowski's maturity. However, not everyone on the board agreed with giving up on such an interesting profile.
The hidden gem who chose the Metropolitano
The forward in question is Viktor Gyökeres, Sporting de Portugal's top scorer. With spectacular numbers—97 goals in his last 102 matches (97 goles en sus últimos 102 partidos)—he has become one of the most desired names on the market. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Barcelona were after him, but Atlético will be the one to welcome him at the Metropolitano.
The Swede has pressured his club to leave this summer. Upset by the blocks in negotiations, he has even considered not joining the preseason. His agent has been talking to Atlético for weeks, and the final terms of the transfer are already being negotiated.
Simeone sees in him the "killer" he needed, and the rojiblanca fans are celebrating the statement signing. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, it is accepted that this was a signing outside the immediate financial radar.
The market is a matter of timing, and this time, Barça didn't make it in time.