Laporta’s most nerve-racking transfer deadline days

The final hours of the transfer window are approaching, and in Barcelona there is once again an air of nervous anticipation.

The Catalan club, now under the guidance of Hansi Flick, is facing a delicate balance between keeping the squad intact and managing the ever-present financial pressures that have defined recent years. This Monday is expected to unfold with tense calm at the Ciutat Esportiva, as Flick and the sporting management hope to avoid any last-minute exits that could destabilize the team just weeks into the new season. The recent loss of Iñigo Martínez served as a warning sign: Barcelona are vulnerable to late market movements, and if another departure were to occur, the club would have virtually no margin left to register a replacement due to their tight financial situation.

Among the names creating uncertainty, Fermín López has been the most prominent in the last hours. The 21-year-old midfielder, a product of La Masia and one of the revelations of last season, has reportedly been tempted by Chelsea. The London club admires his dynamism and versatility, and although no formal offer has been tabled yet, the mere speculation has unsettled Barcelona fans. Losing Fermín at this stage would be a major blow, not only because of his quality but also because of what he represents: a homegrown player breaking through at a time when Barça’s identity is under constant scrutiny.

Unlike the drama surrounding potential departures, the arrivals section has been much calmer. Sporting director Deco and the board ensured that the three signings of the summer were completed early, giving them the best possible chance to adapt before the season kicked off. Joan García, the promising goalkeeper from Espanyol, was the first to arrive, joining even before the squad returned from their holidays. He is seen as a long-term option and someone who could eventually challenge for the number one spot. Roony Bardghji, the Swedish prodigy from Copenhagen, was the second addition, landing in Barcelona in mid-July. At only 18 years old, Bardghji is very much an investment for the future, but his talent and technical skill have already generated excitement within the club.

The most high-profile signing of the summer, however, was undoubtedly Marcus Rashford. After failed attempts to secure Nico Williams and ruling out Luis Díaz as too expensive, Barça shifted their focus to Rashford, who arrived on loan from Manchester United. The English forward’s arrival was seen as a coup, bringing global attention and commercial benefits alongside his footballing ability. For Rashford, the move represents a chance to rediscover form after a difficult season in Manchester, and for Barcelona, it adds pace, versatility, and goal-scoring potential to Flick’s attack.

But if the arrivals were handled efficiently, the real challenge for Deco came with the departures. Barcelona entered the summer with an oversized squad and the same financial constraints that have plagued the club since Joan Laporta’s return to the presidency in 2021. Several players had to be moved on, not just to streamline the squad but also to reduce the wage bill and create space for new registrations. Negotiating these exits has proven to be a complex and delicate task, with many players reluctant to leave or demanding significant compensation to terminate contracts.

This is not the first time Laporta’s Barcelona has faced tense final days in the transfer market. Since his board took charge again in 2021, transfer windows at the club have consistently gone down to the wire. In his very first summer, Barça signed Luuk de Jong from Sevilla at the last possible moment. The Dutch striker arrived on loan in a move that was as symbolic as it was pragmatic, reflecting both the financial struggles of the club and their desperate need for attacking reinforcements. That same deadline day also saw Antoine Griezmann return to Atlético Madrid in a dramatic late deal, showing how much upheaval could happen in just a few hours.

The 2021-22 season that followed began poorly, with Ronald Koeman dismissed after disappointing results and Xavi Hernández stepping in as head coach. During the winter window, Barça once again relied on last-minute activity to reshape the squad. Dani Alves was brought back for his second spell, Ferran Torres arrived from Manchester City, and Adama Traoré returned to his boyhood club on loan. The most dramatic signing, though, was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker flew to Barcelona early in the day, but complications during negotiations with Arsenal dragged the process out. His signing was not officially confirmed until late at night, in what became one of the most chaotic deadline days in recent memory. The image of Laporta raising his fist in triumph once the deal went through spread quickly across social media, perfectly encapsulating the drama and relief of those hours.

Looking at the present day, the parallels are striking. Once again, Barcelona enter the final hours of a transfer window with uncertainty, speculation, and the possibility of unexpected twists. Flick’s arrival as coach was supposed to usher in a period of greater stability, yet the economic reality means that last-minute surprises can never be ruled out. The squad looks competitive on paper, but the fear of losing an important player like Fermín without the chance to replace him highlights the fragility of the club’s position.

For the fans, these tense finales to the transfer market have become both exhausting and strangely familiar. What should be a period of optimism often turns into a mix of anxiety and relief, with Laporta’s administration frequently celebrating small victories against a backdrop of financial difficulties. The coming hours will reveal whether this summer closes quietly, or if Barcelona are destined for yet another nerve-racking finish to the transfer window.