Marca: Barcelona will struggle with summer transfers, saving funds and salary cap for winter window

According to Marca, Barcelona still has room for signings in the final stages of the summer transfer window. Unless there is a major departure or a sudden change in Alvarez's stance, there will be no more blockbuster additions. The club is already reserving financial space for forward reinforcements in January's transfer window.

Flick is very satisfied with the team's performance in the first two La Liga matches. Barcelona successively defeated Elche and Athletic Bilbao, scoring 7 goals and conceding none. The offensive efficiency is particularly outstanding, as the club did not reinforce the front line after Lewandowski and Ferran Torres were sidelined, and at that time, both the coaching staff and management considered attacking reinforcements a priority.

However, Alvarez, who was originally the only target for forward reinforcement, has remained unmoved, and Atletico Madrid's refusal to negotiate has dashed all of Barcelona's plans. Facing the unwavering stance of the Rojiblancos, coupled with the recent excellent performances of Barcelona players, Raphinha has shifted to playing as a false nine and has already scored 3 goals, level with Fermin Lopez. Barcelona has stopped pursuing other attacking reinforcements: either Alvarez arrives, or no other forward will be signed.

However, Barcelona has not completely ruled out winter reinforcements and may still sign a number 9 in January, depending on the team's goal-scoring record, injury situation, and available market options in the coming months.

This is why Barcelona does not expect to finalize major signings in the final days of this transfer window, as they want to retain enough financial fair play space to operate if a top striker must be signed in January. In any case, internal club sources indicate that the accounts work. If a blockbuster sale like Casado ultimately goes through—expected to bring in €25-30 million—or if a player like Hector Fort, valued at around €15 million, leaves, Barcelona does not rule out bringing in another player if Flick requests it.

The most likely position to be reinforced at the moment is center-back. Araujo has already departed, and Alvaro Cortes will also leave soon, but Flick still has many options, including Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Kounde, Christensen, and Eric Garcia. In recent days, Flick and Deco have been discussing what decision to make. In any case, any new arrival will depend on whether enough financial fair play space can be retained to sign a forward in January. Club management has been moving forward with this strategy without delay.

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