Barça Once Again Needs to Balance the Books to Strengthen the Squad This Summer. The club is aware that if they want to act in the transfer market, they will have to sell players and significantly reduce the wage bill. The economic situation remains delicate, and La Liga's Fair Play rules require reducing the limit if they want to sign players.
Although in recent months there have been small green shoots with Nikeor with the sale of VIP Boxes, the reality is that the club is still overextended. To open the door to signings, they first need to free up space in the squad, both contractually and sportingly.
The Club Won't Part with Key Players
Despite this situation, the message the club continues to convey is that they won't sell any important player. The red line that Barça has drawn is not to weaken Hansi Flick's sports project, which is beginning to settle with a solid base of young talent. The priority is to maintain the competitive core.
In that sense, from the offices they insist that, although there is some need to sell, they don't plan to part with players like Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López, or Lamine Yamal. The official stance is that the economy is somewhat more stabilized than in previous summers.
They Are Clear: Only Sales in Covered Positions
The strategy, therefore, will focus on offloading footballers who aren't in Flick's plans. The German coach has a clear idea of what profiles he needs and in which positions he can afford a departure. In this regard, the left-back is one of the positions where the club is covered.
Alejandro Balde is having an excellent season as an undisputed starter, showing constant progression. Additionally, Flick has found a reliable replacement in Gerard Martín, with attitude and good performance when needed. This situation has allowed Barça to seriously consider the definitive departure of another left-back who was on the way out.
The Footballer Who Will Definitely Leave This Summer
Thus, one of the names who will pack his bags is Álex Valle. The left-back, who is currently on loan at Como, won't return to Barça. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Cesc Fàbregas's Italian team will execute the transfer for 6 million.
Álex Valle has convinced the Catalan coach, showing regularity and adaptation to Italian soccer, which has convinced Como to keep him. For Barça, this operation represents a very logical sale, as he is a player who isn't in Barça's plans in a well-covered position.