Barcelona target Champions League return after summer arrivals of Gordon and Adeyemi

Barcelona have begun their summer 2026 transfer business with the signings of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, as they look to strengthen a squad that enjoyed an excellent 2025-26 campaign.

The Catalan club won two domestic trophies last season, claiming the Spanish league title and the Spanish Super Cup under German manager Hansi Flick.

Barcelona are now aiming to build on that success with further high-profile additions during the summer window. Their wider objective is to maintain their dominance in domestic competitions and end a 12-year wait to win the Champions League again.

Gordon’s arrival from Newcastle United and Adeyemi’s move from Borussia Dortmund represent the first major steps in Barcelona’s transfer plans. The club entered the market with a clear strategy to improve an already strong squad, rather than undertake a complete rebuild.

The transfer activity comes as Barcelona’s financial situation continues to improve gradually following their domestic success. There is also satisfaction within the club with the current make-up of Flick’s team, meaning their approach to the window has been measured rather than rushed.

Barcelona’s 2025-26 season provided a positive foundation for the next campaign. Winning the Spanish league and the Spanish Super Cup gave the club two more domestic honours under Flick, while also increasing expectations ahead of their European challenge.

Their summer recruitment is therefore focused on reinforcing the squad while preserving the quality that delivered those trophies. Gordon and Adeyemi are the two incoming players identified so far in the club’s 2026 summer business.

Barcelona departures

The most notable departure from the club is Robert Lewandowski, who has left Barcelona after four remarkable years at Camp Nou.

Lewandowski became one of the leading figures in Barcelona’s squad during his four-year spell with the club. His exit is the principal departure mentioned in the club’s summer transfer activity, alongside the two arrivals from Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund.

Barcelona’s transfer plans will continue against the backdrop of their improving economic position and the belief that the existing squad remains competitive. The club’s calm approach reflects both those circumstances and the success achieved last season.

For now, the confirmed movement outlined in Barcelona’s summer 2026 market consists of Gordon and Adeyemi joining the club, with Lewandowski moving on after four years.

The immediate priority remains strengthening the team sufficiently to compete for more domestic honours while pursuing the larger ambition of returning to the top of European football. Barcelona last won the Champions League 12 years ago and want to use the momentum from their Spanish league and Spanish Super Cup triumphs to challenge again.

Flick’s side will consequently enter the new campaign as domestic champions, with two new additions already brought in and one of the club’s most prominent players from recent seasons having departed.