The transfer market is approaching and Barça has already taken the first step. Joan Laporta and Deco have activated an ambitious and strategic plan, combining economic necessity and sporting vision. Everything points to the first major move of the summer already being on track.
One of the footballers most valued by the coaching staff could leave the club in the coming weeks. It is not due to a lack of trust, but because his transfer could be key to closing a European-scale operation. That operation has a specific name on Hansi Flick's agenda.
A player in full bloom
The protagonist of the move is a homegrown player who has experienced a season of consolidation. His quiet work, his arrival in the area, and his ability to adapt to various roles have made him a valuable resource. Although he is not a regular starter, his impact off the bench has been notable.
Major Premier League teams have set their sights on him. Aston Villa and Newcastle have inquired about his situation, and both would be willing to offer more than 50 million. However, Barça doesn't contemplate a simple sale: there is a much larger plan behind it.
Laporta and Flick know that there are non-transferable players, but also that the economic context forces them to make a move. This midfielder has a market, a good age, and potential for revaluation. If his departure occurs, it will not be a definitive goodbye, but an open door to another strategic signing.
That signing is Hansi Flick's main objective. Since his arrival, the German has insisted on strengthening the center forward position with a very specific profile: young, physical, decisive, and experienced. The idea is to build the immediate future without relying solely on Lewandowski.
The forward who will change Barça's attack
For weeks, Deco has been working quietly on this operation. Barça knows that the price of the forward they are looking for doesn't drop below 100 million. Therefore, only a well-executed sale can pave the way.
What seemed like a simple departure now becomes the key to a signing that can mark an era. The homegrown player in question has been offered as part of an exchange, and the English club accepts the operation. His departure not only frees up salary mass but also reduces to zero cost an acquisition that would be unaffordable under normal circumstances.
Without the exchange, the signing of the forward would cost around 95 to 100 million euros. Thanks to the inclusion of the midfielder, Barça avoids the direct payment of that amount. Additionally, the new forward would sign for five seasons, with a salary close to 8 million gross annually.
It is a profile that fits perfectly with Flick's idea: speed, finishing, aerial play, and character. And above all, room for improvement and competitive hunger. The reports are positive and the locker room has already been informed of the possible arrival.
The forward has already given the OK
The striker, meanwhile, views the change of scenery favorably. He knows that he is well valued at his current club, but also that Barça offers him a unique showcase. He is willing to accept an adjusted contract and compete from day one.
With everything agreed, only the formality remains. The English club has already communicated its acceptance of the deal. And Barça, meanwhile, is preparing to announce a move that could change its attack for the next decade.
The forward who will join Barça in this major exchange is Alexander Isak. The Swede is Newcastle's great star and one of the most promising strikers in the world. With power, technique, and a nose for goal, Isak has been identified as the ideal '9' by Flick.
Fermín López will be the bargaining chip. The homegrown player, with a rising market value, will sign with Newcastle as part of the operation. And Barça, without paying an additional euro, incorporates the top forward that their coach has been demanding.