FC Barcelona keeps adjusting its squad in this final stretch of the transfer window, with moves that combine economic need and sporting projection. One of the most talked-about moves has been Héctor Fort's departure, but the truth is that he won't arrive alone at his new destination. RCD Mallorca has closed a surprising deal to strengthen several positions with young blaugrana players.
The meeting between Deco and the directors of the Balearic club has been key to giving the final push. According to sources close to the negotiation, the conversation was smooth and focused on a single goal: opening up space in the Barça squad and giving quality minutes to developing players. The deal has surprised those around the blaugrana, where a multiple-player operation wasn't expected.
For Barça, this is a smart management formula. Loaning out talent without losing rights is a way to ensure that the footballers keep progressing in a competitive environment. Mallorca receives several pieces of enormous potential to strengthen a squad that aims to consolidate itself in the middle of LaLiga's table.
A strategy designed for the long term
At Barça, they accept that not all young players have an immediate place in the first team. Flick has made it clear that he trusts the youth academy, but also that opportunities must come at the right time. To avoid slowing their development, the sporting management has chosen to accelerate strategic loans.
Héctor Fort's case was the most obvious, since the right-back doesn't have guaranteed minutes with Koundé and Eric García in full competition. However, the deal with Mallorca has gone far beyond a single name. The operation has turned into a kind of "package" that will allow the Balearic club to strengthen itself with several pieces.
At Son Moix, they celebrate it as a historic move. They had never before managed to bring in several talents at once directly from Camp Nou. For Javier Aguirre, having this kind of footballer is an unexpected top-level luxury that can raise the competitiveness of the Balearic team.
The coach also trusts that these loans can serve as a definitive test to measure each player's real level. If they deliver, they'll return with a more important role in Barça's squad. If they don't meet expectations, at least they'll have gained experience that prepares them for other challenges.
The truth is that Flick is clear that he doesn't want overloaded squads. He prefers smaller groups, in which each footballer feels that they'll have opportunities. The deal with Mallorca allows for that balance and also eases the wage bill.
Virgili is a versatile midfielder, with attacking ability and tactical awareness, while Rodríguez stands out as an striker with tremendous speed and unpredictability. In Mallorca, they trust that these additions will not only provide immediate quality, but also raise the level of their youth academy and project market value in the medium term.
Meanwhile, at Barça, the operation is seen as a silent triumph. The club keeps ownership of the players, guarantees their development, and secures a strategic alliance with a reliable LaLiga team. Héctor Fort, Jan Virgili, and Dani Rodríguez will wear red this season, but the future remains painted in blaugrana colors.