Making sense of Barca’s wild transfer window

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Finding reasons for optimism

After what seems like the longest summer transfer window in history, the door has finally slammed shut for another few months.

What a tumultuous time it’s been again for the blaugranes, and certainly the most unexpected period in recent club history.

When all is said and done there were always going to be winners and losers, however, Barca can be happy with their summer business despite the loss of their best-ever player.

Outgoings: Leo Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Emerson Royal, Junior Firpo, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes, Monchu, Juan Miranda, Carles Alena and Jean-Clair Todibo

When it was announced that not only was Leo Messi not signing a new two-year deal with the club, but that he would be cast aside completely, the shockwaves amongst the fan base would’ve registered on the Richter Scale.

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Now that the dust has settled, and looking at things objectively, it was a nasty piece of business that had to be dealt with. Whatever the machinations behind the decision to not tell Messi until the last possible moment about the need to move on, it’s not in question that the future of the club could well have been at stake if he’d stayed.

The playing dynamic will change considerably but the club is above all, and it may be the one piece of business that helps Barca get back on its feet quicker than it may otherwise have done.

The 11th hour switch for Antoine Griezmann came out of the blue, but there won’t be too many culers unhappy that’s he’s been sent on his way. Another significant salary saving too is a God send.

Emerson Royal’s situation is an odd one. Brought back to provide competition and depth on the right side, he looked out of sorts and times against Getafe, but that’s not a good enough reason to send him packing just a fortnight after his debut. Money talks again I suppose.

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Junior Firpo was a disaster from the first minute he pulled on the blaugrana and should’ve been sent packing with his Mister, Quique Setien.

The less said about Matheus Fernandes the better, other than there’s bound to be more to come out about a transfer that made Douglas’ look positively above board.

Jean-Clair Todibo looked to be the centre-back we’d been crying out for, but he’s not really done anything of note since leaving, and I’d take Ronald Araujo over him every day of the week.

Francisco Trincao possibly still has a future at the club, depending how his 2021-22 season goes, but there’ll need to be a vast improvement in his end product.

Carles Alena, Monchu and Juan Miranda leave with the club’s best wishes. Exceptional at youth and Barca B level, the trio didn’t have that vital ingredient that would see them flourish in the senior set-up. A shame, but there can be no sentiment here.

Incomings: Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero, Yusuf Demir, Luuk de Jong

He isn’t Messi’s replacement, nor has he been marketed as such, but Memphis Depay is already the new darling of the Camp Nou.

Three goals in his opening three games already has the culers chanting his name, and it’s obvious there’s much more to come from the Dutchman. Kudos to Koeman for standing his ground on the signing.

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Eric Garcia is home. There may be a transitional period for the centre-back but he is made in La Masia and has all of the attributes needed to be a success where the likes of Todibo et al were not.

Sergio Aguero needs no introduction, with Barca’s only real issue being his injury record. Will we get enough out of the Argentinian to justify the hire? Time will tell, but you just don’t turn down an Aguero free transfer.

Not too much is known about Yusuf Demir at present, other than he is a natural born baller. Word around the club is that this kid is going to be special.

Bought for Barca B, the fact that Koeman has decided to keep him with the first team says much. He’ll wear the No. 11 shirt in 2021-22 with Ousmane Dembele switching to the No. 7.

Luuk de Jong is a bit underwhelming to say the least, but trying to look on the bright side, he has played alongside Memphis and namesake Frenkie, and also under Koeman. For one season, we’ll just have to suck it up.

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