Barca transfer spree 'has only just begun'

Stuart Telford

• 22 Jun 2023 20:39 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are set to complete the signing Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City, and the Blaugrana are far from finished in this summer's transfer market according to their Director of Football, Mateu Alemany.

Gundogan captained Man City to a continental treble in the season just gone, but Pep Guardiola's first signing has now chosen to bring the curtain down on seven glittering seasons at the Etihad, agreeing a two-year contract with Barcelona.

While Gundogan arrives on a free, Barca still intend to spend this summer despite being told by La Liga that they have to reduce their debt by €200 million if they want to take part in the competition they recently won next season.

READ: Barcelona sign Ilkay Gundogan - Fabrizio Romano

That hasn't stopped them from agreeing terms with Vitor Roque, the Brazilian prodigy who will join in 2024 subject to Barca and his current club, Athleltico Paranaense, signing off on a €35m transfer €10m in add-ons.

And Alemany says there is more business to be done.

"The club will inform and say at the time what it has to say about any player," he told when pressed by Sport on his return from negotiating Gundogan's transfer in Munich.

"There is a lot of the market left. This has only just begun."

READ: Barcelona close on Vitor Roque transfer - but there's a catch

As well as Gundogan, Spain centre-back Inigo Martinez is set to join on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao. Gundogan's former Man City teammate Joao Cancelo has also been linked with a move to Camp Nou, but most likely on loan.

Whilst Barca remain in financial dire straits, there could be additional budget available now that Lionel Messi has elected against an expensive return to the club, agreeing to join David Beckham's project at Inter Miami on expiry of his PSG contract instead.

Bernardo Silva and Martin Zubimendi are among Xavi's more ambitious targets for next season, but both would command a significant transfer fee.