FC Barcelona Don’t Expect January Player Sales

FC Barcelona don’t expect to make any player sales in the upcoming January transfer window according to SPORT.

Gavi tearing the ACL in his right knee while on international duty for Spain has prompted the Catalans to push for the arrival of Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense.

The midfielder will be out for six to eight months thanks to his major setback, and will miss the rest of the club season plus the European Championships in Germany next summer as a consequence.

Barca struck a deal with Athletico-PR for Roque in mid-July. They agreed to pay the Brazilian outfit an initial $32.7 million (€30 million) for their teenage striker, with a further $33.8 million (€31 million) possibly handed over in the coming years if a number of incentives are met.

The initial agreement involved Roque crossing the Atlantic at the turn of 2024, which was then put in jeopardy when Financial Fair Play issues arose amid La Liga reducing Barca’s salary cap from $706.5 million (€648 million) to $294 million (€270 million).

It was subsequently reported by Mundo Deportivo that Barca would need to rely on an “important player sale” in January to see Vitor Roque don Blaugrana.

Considering the surprise developments centering around Gavi’s injury, however, rival paper SPORT now explains that this won’t be necessary.

While at the same time nobody has requested to leave either, Xavi Hernandez and his staff reportedly believe “every piece of the squad counts” and that “everyone will be important at one point or another during the season”.

That decision has been made in light of fitness setbacks not only suffered by Gavi, but also other key members of the team.

Since August, Xavi has lost additional stars including Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski for varying periods to name but a few.

On the wings, the manager currently rotates Ferran Torres, Joao Felix, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

Of the quartet, Ferran and Raphinha have constantly been linked with moves out of the club but it would probably take a high offer from the Premier
PINC
League or Saudi Arabia to tempt president Joan Laporta.