Barcelona bring summer transfer activity to a close after Hansi Flick drops plans for another centre-back

Barcelona have decided against making any further signings during the current transfer window, leaving manager Hansi Flick to work with the squad now available to him. The club’s final addition was Gabriel Jesus, who was officially presented on Tuesday afternoon, although Barcelona remain willing to allow some players to leave.

Barcelona’s sporting department had been considering the arrival of a new centre-back since last season, with the team’s defensive record a major factor behind the search. Sporting director Deco opened talks with Inter Milan over Alessandro Bastoni, and contact was made between the clubs.

However, the possibility of completing that deal was eventually set aside after Flick was not fully convinced by the move. The manager preferred to have more time to assess the situation before committing to another defensive signing.

The departure of Ronald Araujo to Liverpool then prompted Barcelona to revisit the possibility of strengthening at centre-back. That concern was heightened by the number of goals conceded during the club’s preparations for the new season.

Deco returned to the transfer market to examine the available options, but Barcelona’s requirements had changed. Rather than pursuing an established defender with significant experience, as they had with Bastoni, the club began looking for a younger player with considerable potential and room to develop.

Ruud Nijstad of Twente was one of the names considered. However, the financial demands made by the Dutch club exceeded the amount Barcelona were prepared to spend on the transfer.

As a result, Deco and Flick agreed to postpone the decision on a new centre-back. Barcelona will monitor the team’s performances during the season and could return to the market in January if the defence proves to need reinforcement, according to a report published by Marca on Tuesday.

The club considers the other areas of the squad sufficiently covered. Barcelona believe they have the necessary options in midfield and attack, meaning the centre-back position is the only area still under review.

In the forward positions, Barcelona have signed Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus. They have also strengthened midfield with the addition of Rodri.

Those four deals have taken Barcelona’s total spending in the current transfer window to 162m euros. With no further arrivals planned for now, the club has effectively closed its incoming transfer business, while negotiations over possible departures remain possible.

The decision represents a change from the idea pursued by Barcelona’s sporting department since last season. The club had initially hoped to add another central defender, particularly after conceding heavily during pre-season and losing Araujo to Liverpool.

Instead, Flick will continue with his existing defensive options and assess whether the squad can meet the demands of the campaign. Any renewed attempt to sign a centre-back is therefore likely to wait until January, when Barcelona will have more evidence of the team’s needs before deciding whether to act.

The club’s recruitment activity has otherwise addressed the positions it identified as priorities, with three attacking additions and one midfield signing completing the current window.