President Laporta Rules Out FC Barcelona January Signings

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has effectively ruled the club out of making any signings in the upcoming January transfer market.

The Catalans spent over €150mn ($157mn) in the last window, and were expected to bring in new players over the winter before making a push for their first La Liga title in four years.

In comments made on Monday, however, Laporta threw cold water on such a potential development.

“We have a team that we planned in the summer, and in principle we don’t have to do anything unless unforeseen circumstances arise that have to be resolved,” Laporta said, as per Mundo Deportivo.

“In principle we don’t have to do anything in January because we already worked a lot in the summer on the subject of the [economic] levers that led us to make a very competitive team.

“We are very satisfied with how the season is going,” Laporta insisted. “Despite the slip in the Champions League, the priority this year is La Liga and we are going [for it] first of all, [while] improving our game with very young players.

“Seeing how players like Gavi, Pedri, [Alejandro] Balde, or Ansu [Fati] are performing … they are players who generate very good sensations.”

“It is true that if we had to sign someone, perhaps it would be convenient to do it this winter,” Laporta conceded. “But we have a very competitive team, and you just have to see that we are the club that has brought the most players to the World Cup.

“It says a lot about the great work that has been done, and reinforces [claims] and is clear proof that Xavi is doing a great job,” he concluded, while mentioning his head coach.

Barca are next in action on December 31 when they host cross-city rivals Espanyol at Camp Nou in the Spanish top flight. Providing they win, Xavi’s men will finish 2022 at least two points clear of bitter rivals and defending champions Real Madrid at the summit.