Barcelona to repeat Gavi trick to secure January surprise after Balde injury blow

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 29 Jan 2024 12:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are set to make a late signing during the January transfer window to bolster Xavi’s squad before the end of the season.

An injury to Alex Balde is set to keep the defender on the sidelines until the end of the campaign, but while that is clearly a massive blow to the team, it does open up the possibility of Barcelona strengthening their squad.

Barcelona are set to repeat the trick they used that allowed them to sign Vitor Roque for €40 million following an injury to Gavi, Gerard Romero reports.

Balde will be withdrawn from the squad and his wages will not count towards Financial Fair Play (FFP). This is opening up the possibility of the Catalans making a transfer deal before the end of January that was otherwise unthinkable for them.

Barcelona will only be able to complete a move via a loan, but that will not stop them from scouring the loan market to broker a deal. Romero reports that Barca will be particularly looking at options in the Premier League and LaLiga before the transfer deadline passes in Spain on Wednesday.

Bergvall to Barcelona agreed – Fabrizio Romano

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Lucas Bergvall’s transfer to Barcelona has been agreed for the summer, with the deal expected to be closed this week.

The 17-year-old is expected to complete a deal worth an initial €7 million with €3m more potentially following in bonus payments.

Although Romano reports that this transfer is virtually a done deal, with Bergvall pushing to join Barca on 1 July, the prospect of this being brought forward seems slim given that Xavi really needs more experienced player in his ranks as he seeks to end his tenure at the club on a high after announcing that he will step down at the end of the season.