Joan Laporta had his priority clear to strengthen FC Barcelona this summer. For months, his goal was to sign an offensive, young, game-changing player with an immediate presence in the European elite. The profile was defined and the contacts were very advanced.
However, once again, economic limitations and delays in negotiations have taken their toll. While in Barcelona they debated financing formulas, another Spanish giant moved quickly and decisively. Everything points to the star signing changing destination.
Joan Laporta at a press conference | @jlaportaoficial
A dream called Rafael Leao
The name that most excited Laporta was Rafael Leao. The Portuguese star of AC Milan represents everything the blaugrana president was looking for: talent, youth, power, and one-on-one game-changing ability. Additionally, he has the backing of Jorge Mendes, a regular interlocutor in the club's offices.
Meetings followed, but Milan was firm from the start. They demanded more than 100 million euros for their forward, a figure impossible for Barça without prior sales. The agreement seemed like a castle in the air and the negotiation was frozen.
Rafael Leão with AC Milan | @iamrafaeleao93
Faced with difficulties in closing Leao, Laporta and Deco began working on more realistic alternatives. A name with growing strength emerged, which also fit the desired profile. A national player, with experience in LaLiga and impactful statistics at the European level.
His release clause was 60 million, a high figure but not unmanageable. The club considered the possibility of activating it if they managed to close one or two sales before July. However, time once again played against Barça.
Deco | FC Barcelona
Simeone moves decisively
While Laporta tried to fit the pieces together, Diego Simeone didn't hesitate. The Argentine coach had been following the player for some time and, as soon as Villarreal showed willingness to negotiate, Atlético de Madrid activated the operation.
Atleti's offer not only matches the clause but also includes variables and bonuses. Everything indicates that the agreement will be closed this week, leaving Barça with no room to react. Once again, the lack of liquidity has prevented competing on equal terms.
Simeone wants him | @simeone
The player in question is Álex Baena. The Villarreal midfielder has been one of the great revelations of the season. With more assists than anyone in the five major leagues, his offensive impact has been indisputable.
Laporta considered him a strategic piece to renew the midfield and add game-changing ability in the final third. He had even privately expressed his intention to dress him in blaugrana. But the lost time has been definitive.
Alex Baena can leave Villarreal | Villarreal CF
Confessed admirer of Barça
In more than one interview, Álex Baena has confessed his sympathy for FC Barcelona. He grew up admiring his idols at Camp Nou and dreamed of playing there someday. However, in elite soccer, dreams don't always come true.
Atlético has known how to take advantage of the context and offer him an attractive project, with a coach who trusts him. Simeone wants him as a cornerstone in the reconstruction of the Colchonero attack, and the player has replied with complete openness to the proposal.
With Rafael Leao out of reach and Álex Baena about to sign for Atleti, Barça is once again out of the major market operations. Deco is already working on new alternatives, although many of them are less exciting than the previous two.
Flick with Barça | @FCBarcelona
The summer market will be especially tough. The club needs to strengthen with barely any financial leeway, and with rivals faster and more solvent in the bidding. Frustration is beginning to be felt in the offices.
Álex Baena had everything to succeed at Barça: technical profile, projection, and an affordable clause. But the delay in movements and the institutional indecision have left the way clear for Simeone.
Atleti pays the 60 million and takes one of the best assistants in Europe. Laporta, meanwhile, will have to redo his list. Because this summer there's no time to dream: there's only room to execute quickly and Barça, this time, has arrived late.
