La Liga
FC Barcelona 2018: Transfer Profits
Transfer profits and refreshing the team roster seem to have been the motto of the club this transfer window. Club legend Eric Abidal who recently took over as technical secretary certainly seems to be on top of things. He and his assistant Ramon Planes have done some incredible business for the club. They successfully urged the club to overturn the stagnation of the squad. Barça have either sold or loaned the players who have not been getting game time or those who do not fit the system and have brought in capable replacements.
Also, thanks to this rejuvenated business model that seems to have been implemented by Abidal, Barcelona have made more on transfers than they have spent for the first time since 1999.
Transfer Activity Breakdown
Here is a brief but comprehensive look at Barça’s recent transfer activity:
ARRIVALS
- Malcom Olivera: From G. Bourdeaux- £36.9 Million
- Clement Lenglet: From Sevilla FC- £32.31 Million
- Arthur Melo: From Gremio- £27.9 Million
- Arturo Vidal: From Bayern Munich- £16.2 Million
Total expenditure: £113.31 Million
*amount not yet confirmed
DEPARTURES
- Paulinho: To Guangzhou Evergrande- £45 Million (loan+obligation to buy)
- Yerry Mina: To Everton- £27.23 Million
- Lucas Digne: To Everton- £18.18 Million
- Gerard Deulofeu: To Watford- £11.70 Million
- Aleix Vidal: To Sevilla- £7.65 Million
- Marlon: To Sassuolo- £5.40 Million
- Andre Gomes- To Everton(Loan)- £2.03 Million
- Paco Alcacer- To Borussia Dortmund(Loan)- £1.8 Million
Total earnings: £118.99 Million
Evidently, this has been a great window. And thanks to amazing work from everyone involved in the transfer dealings, the club has managed a total profit of £5.68 Million.
Sign of Great Things to Come?
Since the past couple of years the Barça board is under heavy scrutiny. Although now things are changing. Not only have the profits been terrific, the arrivals have been commendable. The squad is now significantly stronger and has more depth. The new policies are also praiseworthy. Abidal has most certainly had a terrific impact. Everything is sharper in the Blaugrana camp.
As well as success in the window, the squad morale looks great. Not only are the seasoned players raring to go, the new signings are gelling with the team very well. They are certainly in contention for all the silverware they can possibly get. The arrivals have also impressed in preseason. They have already tasted success as the team won the Spanish Supercup and Joan Gamper Trophy in preseason. The plethora of talented Brazilians in the squad are particularly looking impressive in training too.
Expectations are high and so is the pressure. But FC Barcelona mean business. Both on and off the field.
