Josep Pedrerol has shaken up the market again with information that's already spreading across Europe in a matter of hours. The host of "El Chiringuito" revealed that a world-class footballer is pushing to join Barça as soon as possible. "He's desperate to sign this week", he stated live on air, leaving all the panelists stunned.
This isn't a baseless rumor or speculation that emerged on social media. Pedrerol wanted to emphasize that the source is solid and that the operation is being considered by the Barça sporting management. However, he avoided giving too many details so as not to hinder the ongoing negotiations.
Barça is approaching the final stretch of the market with several open files and an obvious need to strengthen its squad. Flick has insisted on having more attacking options, especially after starting La Liga with a demanding schedule. The 3-0 win against Mallorca provided some relief, but made it clear that more attacking resources are needed.
The message from the locker room
According to Pedrerol, the footballer in question wouldn't just be delighted with the idea, but is demanding it. He has told his closest circle that his immediate wish is to work under Hansi Flick. He believes that the Barça style would fit his characteristics better than the reality he's experiencing at his current club.
This desire for a change of scenery hasn't gone unnoticed by Barça's leadership, where they're looking for ways to make it work. Financial fair play is once again an obstacle, but they trust that strategic sales will provide some leeway. Among them are names like Oriol Romeu, Iñaki Peña, or even Marc Casadó, with offers close to €30 million.
For Flick, adding a versatile forward would be a relief given the constant rotations required by the season. The Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa del Rey will force the squad to pace themselves, and the current roster may fall short. A signing of this profile would provide more flexibility to combine systems and offer alternatives when the initial plan doesn't work.
A world-class star
The footballer in question already knows what it's like to compete at the highest level and win prestigious international titles. His record speaks for itself, and in his country, he's considered one of the greatest talents of the last decade. In addition, he has a young profile, with many years ahead to grow and establish himself as a star in Europe.
Within Barça's circle, his work ethic and versatility to play in different attacking positions are especially appreciated. He can play as a center forward, but also start from the wing and link up with creative attacking midfielders. That versatility appeals to Flick and Deco, who are convinced that he'd provide an immediate qualitative boost to the team.
Pedrerol recalled on his show that the footballer already has emotional ties with some players in the squad. He even keeps a close relationship with Leo Messi, who from Miami is closely following his progress and trusts his future. The friendship with Messi could be decisive in finally convincing him to move to Camp Nou.
With the market about to close, Barça is moving quickly to assess the feasibility of the operation. The priority remains balancing the books, but the message Pedrerol sent has increased the pressure in the offices. The fans dream of a game-changing move that will restore excitement after weeks of rumors and speculation.
Finally, there's no longer any mystery about the identity of the footballer who's "desperate to sign for Barça." It's Julián Álvarez, currently at Atlético de Madrid, where he's not going through a good sporting or personal moment. The Argentine forward wants a change of scenery as soon as possible, and Camp Nou appears as his dream destination.