From Neymar to KP Boateng... The 5 transfers by Barcelona that no one expected

The transfer window is an important element in modern-day football, affording clubs the opportunity to strengthen their squads from time to time as well as raising revenue by doing pretty smart businesses in the market. 

When we take a look at the European clubs who have been very active in the transfer market during the past few years, we are definitely going to make mention of Catalan giants, FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana have been heavily involved in transfer related activities for a very long time, selling some of their players, buying new ones as well as getting a few on loan.

The Catalans have their unique policies that guide their transfer activities, signing players they believe would fit into their system while keeping close attention to a number of factors including age, experience and disciplinary records as well as ensuring fair-play in their dealings with other clubs in the transfer market.

But despite that, Barcelona have completed some transfer deals during the past few years that no one expected, of which some raised controversy, criticism, and arguments.

Below, we highlight 5 of them.

1. Kevin-Prince Boateng

Barcelona are not new when it comes to shocking football fans with their activities in the transfer market. One of such instances that happened recently is the announcement of former Sassuolo striker, Kevin-Prince Boateng as their latest signing.

With the departure of Munir El Haddadi who left for Sevilla earlier this month, Barcelona decided to sign another striker to fill the void left behind by the Moroccan International and once again, they went for the unexpected option.

Kevin Prince Boateng, who will be 32 in March was unveiled as a Barcelona player yesterday after signing a loan deal worth £1.8 million with the Catalan giants with the option to make it permanent for £7.1 million at the end of the season.

A young striker was supposed to be the priority, but Barca's decision to sign a player who is already in his thirties certainly spread shock waves.

2. Malcom

Barcelona have enjoyed a good reputation over the years when it comes to fair dealings with clubs and players in the transfer market. But a couple of their recent activities in the transfer market has harmed that reputation and one of them is the signing of Brazilian winger, Malcom.

The attacker was on his way to sign for AS Roma, with the Serie A giants having initially announced his imminent arrival before Barcelona came in at the dying moments to hijack the deal and lured the attacker to the Nou Camp instead.

With thousands of fans already waiting to welcome the player to the Stadio Olimpico, it came as a huge embarrassment to the Romans who held nothing back in slamming the attitude. Although Barcelona eventually apologized for their action, many remained shocked and provoked.

3. Neymar 

Another transfer involving Barcelona that shocked the football world is the sale of Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr., who left the Nou Camp to complete a world-record switch to join French champions, Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Neymar moved to Barcelona during the summer of 2013 and he quickly established himself at the Nou Camp, forming a deadly attacking trident alongside Argentine maestro Lionel Messi and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez called the 'MSN', and they scored over 100 goals in each of the seasons they spent together at the Nou Camp.

The attacker was one of the most influential superstars in the Blaugrana squad during his time as a Cule and no one was expecting him to leave the Catalan capital. Although Barcelona were not keen to sell him, there was nothing they could do when Paris Saint Germain decided to pay the release clause in the player's contract worth £200 million and making him the most expensive signing in football history. 

4. Paulinho

Barcelona completed many transfer deals that raised eyebrows during the past few years; the signing of former Tottenham Hotspur superstar Paulinho Bezerra from Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande is also one of them.

The Catalan giants were linked with a number of top superstars across Europe as they were preparing ahead of the 2017/2018 campaign. But instead of signing any of their rumored targets in Europe, they turned their attention to the Chinese Super League and lured Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande to the Nou Camp.

Many criticized the movement, claiming that Paulinho's physical style of play does not suit Barcelona's system while other pointed to his failure in the English Premier League. Yet, Paulinho went on to prove his critics wrong, playing an influential role as Barcelona claimed both the LaLiga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy during that season.

5. Jeison Murillo

With injury crisis surrounding the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti this season, Barcelona has been short of options at the heart of the defence, with only Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet the only consistent center-backs in the Blaugrana squad. 

Knowing quite well that they needed to find a solution to their problems at the heart of defence, the Catalans decided to sign another center-back to provide support in that department and that signing was an unexpected one too many.

A lot of Barcelona fans were shocked when the club announced in December that they had signed Colombian defender Jeison Murillo from Valencia in an initial loan deal with the option to make the deal permanent for a reported €25million at the end of the season.

Before the transfer, there were rumors that Barcelona would sign proven defenders including the likes of Mathijs De Ligt and Andreas Christensen, but their decision to sign a player who has only featured for Valencia in only one LaLiga game all season came as a huge surprise.