Barcelona have enjoyed a memorable season, especially thanks to the spectacular performance of their wingers. Both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have established themselves as key pieces in Hansi Flick's system, providing imbalance, speed, and a huge number of goals and assists. Their prominence has been such that it's hard to imagine the team without them on the flanks.
However, the coaching staff are clear that they can't rely solely on two footballers for an entire campaign. Looking ahead to a new and demanding season, Flick has requested the addition of a new winger who would allow for rotation without losing quality. The idea isn't to sign a star who would compete directly with the starters, but rather a quality player who would accept a more secondary role.
Flick's alternative
In this regard, Barça had started to explore different options in the market, and one of the options that most convinced the coach was Leroy Sané. The German striker became a free agent after not renewing with Bayern Munich, and his profile fit perfectly with what Barça were looking for. In addition, his good relationship with the German coach seemed to pave the way.
However, the plans went completely awry: everything seems to indicate that Sané has decided to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, thus ruling out his arrival at Camp Nou. The deal made financial sense for the Catalan club, since Sané was arriving as a free agent. But in the end, he chose to return to the Premier League, convinced by the Spurs's project.
According to sources close to the deal, his entourage valued the playing time opportunities and the leading role he was offered in London. This was something that wasn't guaranteed at Barça given the presence of Lamine and Raphinha.
No plan B
For Flick, this news has been a cold shower: beyond his personal relationship with Sané, he trusted his experience, ability to unbalance, and versatility in attack. The German winger was the ideal profile to strengthen the team without altering the current balance of the starting eleven. Now, Barça will have to return to the market and find another footballer who fits that balance between talent and acceptance of a secondary role.
With Sané out of the equation, names like Luis Díaz or Nico Williams are being mentioned again, but they present complications. Both are players with ambitions to be starters and a high cost. The club's sporting management faces the challenge of finding a new candidate who can give their wingers a rest without breaking the harmony in the locker room or unbalancing the budget.