MADRID (AP) — Forget about signing new players. Barcelona will be happy just to register the ones it already has.
As part of a slow day for Spanish clubs at the end of the winter transfer window, Barcelona looked unlikely to add anyone to its squad and instead will work to rearrange its finances to make sure it can fit some of its current players under the salary cap.
The Catalan club improved its financial situation recently but still struggles to comply with the Spanish league’s strict fair-play rules. The only hope of a last-minute deal was for Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina.
But Barcelona first wants to give young star Gavi a first-team contract, and register defenders Ronald Araújo and Marcos Alonso after they renewed their deals with the club. It should be able to get it all done thanks to the retirement of Gerard Piqué and the departures of Héctor Bellerín and Memphis Depay.
Spanish league president Javier Tebas said Barcelona will have to save more than 200 million euros ahead of the summer transfer window, but Gavi will be allowed to be registered now thanks to a court ruling in favor of the Catalan club. Getting the 18-year-old to the first team is crucial for Barcelona to keep him from having the option of leaving for free in the summer.
Real Madrid is in a better situation financially, but also isn’t likely to add anyone to its squad other than Brazilian teenage sensation Endrick from Palmeiras, who was signed on a deal that will see him join the club when he turns 18 in 2024. On the other hand, it was not expected to lose any of the top players who helped it win the Champions League and the Spanish league last season.
Madrid rival Atletico signed Depay on loan from Barcelona but lost Matheus Cunha to Wolverhampton and João Félix on loan to Chelsea. Defender Felipe and midfielder Saúl Ñíguez were also likely to leave.
OTHER TEAMS
Rayo Vallecano is finally able to register forward Raúl de Tomás after his transfer from Espanyol hadn’t come through in time at the previous transfer deadline.
Defending Copa del Rey champion Real Betis lost defender Álex Moreno to Aston Villa, while the only loss for Copa runner-up Valencia was coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose contract was terminated by mutual agreement on Monday.
Cádiz signed midfielder Youba Diarra from Salzburg, while Getafe brought in Gonzalo Villar on loan from Roma. Girona signed Peru defender Alexander Callens from New York City, while Mallorca added defender Ludwig Augustinsson from Aston Villa after seeing Braian Cufré move to NYC in Major League Soccer.
Valladolid signed Canadian forward Cyle Larin, and struggling Sevilla has added defender Loic Badé from Rennes and midfielder Pape Gueye from Olympique Marseille. Sevilla loaned midfielder Thomas Delaney to Hoffenheim.
Villarreal lost goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli to Ajax and forward Arnaut Danjuma to Tottenham.
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