Barça's main priority for the upcoming transfer windows is the addition of a standout winger to complement the forward line. Although the team has high-quality players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski, the lack of high-level substitutes is one of the main concerns of the management.
The squad needs more options on the wings, as the current substitutes don't have the same ability to impact the game. In this regard, Barça is looking to sign a player who brings freshness, imbalance, and potential to become a reference in the attack.
Besides the need for a winger, Barça is also looking for players who can adapt to Hansi Flick's playing style, with a fast and technical profile. The arrival of a top winger would be key for the team to maintain its competitive level throughout the season.
The options managed by Barça's sports management
Among the options that Barça's sports management is evaluating to strengthen the forward line are three well-known names in Europe: Nico Williams, Rafa Leão, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Nico Williams is a fast and vertical player who fits perfectly into Barça's playing style. Rafa Leão is one of the most complete and disruptive players in Serie A, and his ability to make a difference in important matches makes him a target. Finally, Kvaratskhelia, the talented Georgian winger from Napoli, has also attracted the club's attention for his dribbling ability.
Laporta and his team will have to make a crucial decision on which of these players fits best into Barça's sports project. Each of them offers different characteristics and advantages, which has caused an internal debate about which of the three would be the ideal signing.
Jorge Mendes pressures Laporta for his client
However, Barça is not alone in evaluating these players, and the club is receiving external pressures to decide quickly. Jorge Mendes, Rafa Leão's agent, has been pressuring the Barça management to choose the Portuguese as the star signing.
According to 'El Nacional.cat', Mendes is in constant contact with Joan Laporta and Barça to expedite the operation, doing everything possible to make Leão the signing. The agent's influence could be decisive, as Leão is one of the most sought-after players in the market, and his signing could be key for Barcelona's immediate future.
Mendes's pressure, combined with the competition from other European clubs for the same players, puts Barça in a complex situation. The decision to sign a standout winger is urgent, and Laporta must carefully weigh the available options. Moreover, Mendes's interest in accelerating Leão's signing could lead Barça to opt for the Portuguese, although everything will depend on the economic viability of the operation.