There are a few weeks left before the winter transfer window shuts. The club awaited the January arrival of Vitor Roque, a Brazilian forward brought in to bolster the attack and compete with Lewandowski, even though he had yet to see minutes in the Super Cup.
Xavi stressed that reinforcements should not be limited to a single striker this winter. With a small squad strained by injuries, including a long-term setback for a key figure like Gavi, the coach explored the option of adding a midfielder alongside the sports management team to compensate for the drop in intensity the young star’s absence had caused.
Imperial Vinicius’ Real Madrid win the Super Cup against Barça
Despite the disappointment after a defeat in the Super Cup final, there was also a note of candor at the end of the match. The club’s stance had been clear: bringing in another player was not an option, given the current situation. The sentiment was echoed in the press room, with officials underscoring the constraints faced by the team.
Back in Barcelona after a demanding January schedule, discussions with senior sports officials were set to continue. The realities of December’s financial constraints and the broader economic picture meant the club would push forward with the squad as it stood, while remaining open about potential future moves if circumstances allowed.
Barça secured Vitor Roque’s inclusion for the season because of Gavi’s injury, but financial Fair Play rules and the debt profile limited any immediate market activity. The issue around a $40 million liability tied to Barça Vision before December 31 restricted maneuvering, making it improbable to secure new signings unless new revenue streams or investors bridged the gap. The prospect of swift negotiations and investor involvement remained a consideration, though nothing could be guaranteed.
Ultimately, the challenge extended beyond any single decision. Xavi’s plan depended on optimizing what was already available, maintaining a realistic view about moving forward through the rest of the season with the current group rather than expecting rapid additions.