On July 14, according to Mundo Deportivo, Flick began pre-season preparations for his third season at Barcelona yesterday, with winning the Champions League emerging as the top goal for the new season.
Although he appeared at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper last Thursday, Hans-Flick officially began his third season as Barcelona coach only yesterday, with the players reporting back except for the internationals. After leading the team to two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups, and one Copa del Rey, the German coach has set the Champions League as the top priority—Barcelona has been without the trophy for 11 years, having last lifted it after defeating Juventus at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
With this goal in mind, Flick reached a consensus with President Joan Laporta and Football Director Deco, finalizing several signings to strengthen the squad and keep it competitive in all competitions, especially the Champions League—Barcelona exited in the quarterfinals last season and is just one step away from the final in 2025. As of now, Barcelona has quietly secured English winger Anthony Gordon (25), while the signing of Adeyemi (24) is also nearing completion; last Friday, Barcelona reached a verbal agreement with Dortmund on a transfer fee of €22 million fixed plus €7 million in variables.
After securing two versatile wingers and Belgian rising star Jeesy Bisous (19, whom local media already consider a Barcelona player), Barcelona hope to make a major move in the transfer market by bringing in Alvarez (26). Flick sees him as an indispensable candidate to upgrade the forward line after Lewandowski's departure. Although the Argentine forward's goal tally is not as high as the Pole's, Flick believes that, with his ability to link up near the box and the support of Barcelona's current players, Alvarez's goal count will surpass his current numbers at Atletico Madrid. Atletico Madrid will not let him go easily and still insist he is not for sale, but Barcelona believe the player's desire—he longs to wear the Barcelona jersey after the World Cup—could be key to breaking the deadlock.
Alvarez is the most important reinforcement in Flick's puzzle, but not the only one. Besides the Argentine, Flick's other clear request is to keep Cancelo. The Portuguese full-back joined in the winter window as an emergency reinforcement and has earned the coach's trust with his versatility, commitment, and attacking ability. While Al-Hilal and Barcelona have reached a preliminary agreement on the Portuguese international defender, with finalization still pending, Flick appears to have secured another piece for his squad.
After these signings, further reinforcement in the center-back position is not ruled out. However, this is conditional on one of the existing players leaving. Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, and Eric García are non-negotiables for Flick. Christensen has just renewed his contract with Barcelona for two years. Araujo is different; although he has no intention of leaving Barcelona, he had the least playing time towards the end of last season.
If this trend continues during Barcelona's pre-season, it remains to be seen whether the Uruguayan center-back will still insist on staying or choose to leave Camp Nou in search of a role where he can truly be a protagonist on the field—rather than merely wearing the captain's armband. Only in that scenario would Barcelona activate the center-back puzzle, a market they have already been tracking.
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