The first league game left the feeling that Barcelona will still spend the rest of the summer market. Far from the template being closed, there will still be several movements. There are discards that urgently need to find a destination, there are signings that have not been able to be registered, there are several renewals in the air, there are open negotiations up front and in midfield and laterals are desperately sought for both bands. All this with 17 days to go until the blind is lowered on September 1 at midnight.
Despite the accumulation of folders in the offices, Barcelona sources insist that the first objective of the sports leadership is to register Jules Koundé. They want the French defender to be at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián at least on Sunday for matchday two.
Signed for a fixed 50 million from Sevilla, Koundé must be one of the great pillars of the defense. However, he barely adds 45 minutes, in the Gamper, this preseason after undergoing a pubic operation in June. That was the main reason why it was decided to leave it without a file... for now.
The idea is to correct this inability to play as soon as possible. For this, Barcelona needs to lower its wage bill to make room for Koundé. In that sense, little space for fair play will be released by Umtiti and Braithwaite since Barcelona will have to get part of their salary to find accommodation. The renewal of Gerard Piqué is underway, willing to give up the money he had secured for the next two courses after the extension offered by Bartomeu in October 2020. The defender, second captain, negotiates a new contract with the same duration but a drastic reduction of their emoluments.
Another way to lighten the cost of clothing will be some sale. Memphis is on the exit ramp and has the option of Juventus well ahead. Instead, it is unknown what will happen with Aubameyang and Chelsea. Tuchel, with whom the Gabonese worked in Dortmund, can provide him with the starting job at Stamford Bridge. The two have been joined by Dest after staying in the stands due to a technical decision.
A separate case is Frenkie de Jong, whose future is very convoluted, with Bernardo Silva very attentive.
Until there is a resolution in that direction, Barça does not want to close the arrival of Marcos Alonso, left back with whom everything is agreed, since they could not register him either. Seen what was seen against Rayo, an attempt to also reinforce the right lane is not ruled out. It will be 17 intense days.
