5 players Barcelona got on a bargain under Bartomeu

It seems like Barcelona's current board is always under pressure. Whenever the Catalans fail to collect three points or face elimination in a knockout competition. the managerial staff and the board room is the first to take damage. Bartomeu and his men have been heavily criticised by mass groups of cules for allegedly drifting the historic club away from its underlying philosophy. Well, the fans do have their rights to punish the boards for their alleged wrongdoings but ironically the men in black suits haven't been all gloom for the Blaugrana.

Bartomeu broke the bank for the signings of Coutinho and Dembele

The transfers of Paulinho and Andre Gomes were some of the most controversial transfers in the modern history of the club. Not perfectly, but, Bartomeu's men have done some good things for the club including the purchase of some top footballing talents at a bargain. Well people do claim that Barcelona's big name is enough to lure in players but it is the board's negotiations which finalised the deals.

Let's have a look at some of the bargains Barcelona bought under their current management;

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#1: Denis Suarez (3.5 million Euros)

Denis Suarez is a true game changer

Highly rated among Barcelona fans, Denis Suarez started his professional career in England with Manchester City but soon made his way back to his home land as a Barcelona player. The club decided to sell the young and promising midfielder but later brought him back by exercising a buy-back clause in his contract. It is estimated that it cost Barcelona a total of 3.5 million Euros for the buy-back.

Considering the modern transfer market, anything below the 20 million mark is considered a big bargain for a player of Denis' abilities. Making his mark in 17 league games for Barcelona in the 2017-18 season, Suarez boasts a average pass accuracy of around 82% but it is much more than his passing accuracy that is loved by Barcelona fans who have proclaimed him as a certified game changer.

Ernesto Valverde, like Luis Enrique sidelined Denis for the majority of the season, often excluding him from the squad list but the talented midfielder continued to improve and reestablished himself in the plans of the manager. Still just 24, Suarez has a long and promising career ahead. He has already pledged his alliance with the club of his life and the fans would be hoping for more playing time for the Spaniard.

#2: Jasper Cillessen (13-15 million Euros)

Too good to be used as a reserve keeper?

Definitely one of the best backup goalkeeper in all of Europe, if not the best. The Dutchman made the jump to Barcelona from his boyhood club Ajax which is a testament to the underlying interconnection between the two clubs. However, Jasper's game has been restricted to the Copa del Rey and a few games in the Champions League's group stage. Surprisingly, he made his league debut for Barca under Ernesto Valverde only a few days ago.

"We don't just sign goalkeepers (ter Stegen and Jasper) because they're blonde and handsome, but because they're good with their feet and at starting play, making saves… that's why we signed him (Jasper)." - Luis Enrique

The Dutchman certainly possesses the abilities to represent any major club in Europe as their first-choice keeper but he surprisingly continues to play for the Catalans. He has asserted that he would like to feature in more than 10 games per season but also made sure that he would continue at the Camp Nou until current contract stands, at least.

#3: Samuel Umtiti (25 million Euros)

Umtiti would be carrying the hopes of France in the upcoming World Cup

Umtiti wasn't the biggest of all names when he arrived in Barcelona but fans were quick to notice something special in the defender. Samuel Umtiti first made himself popular in the 2016 UEFA Euro and shortly after earned the limelight in Barca. The Frenchman and his abilities were the main reason behind Mascherano's departure from the club.

Although there is uncertainty about Umtiti's future as the club, there is no doubt in the talents of the player. He is a master when it comes to interceptions and makes very few mistakes which could potentially cost his team. A leader on the pitch, Umtiti provides the perfect blend of physicality and technique to suit the game style of the Azulgranas.

Even if Bartomeu and his board decides to let go of Umtiti in relation to the whole fiasco about his contract, it is sure that Barcelona would make a huge profit out of the youngster. However, fans would like to see Big Sam don the Barcelona colors instead of opting for monetary benefits.

#4: Ivan Rakitic (18 million Euros)

Ivan Rakitic: Consistent and Underrated

Sevilla lost much more than a captain when the man who led them to a triumph in the 2014 UEFA Europa League. A stand-out man in the midfield, Rakitic provided the necessary work-rate to Barcelona's ageing midfield at the moment of his arrival. There are always a few players in every team who silently do their work week-in and week-out without garnering much attention from the media and the fans. Rakitic is clearly one of the hard-working members of the squad.

A box-to-box midfielder, Rakitic is one of the best passers of the ball in this Barcelona side which already features loads of midfield talent. Only he does what he does best. Rakitic's job in the Barcelona system isn't the most attractive offering but the Croat offers that vital link between the defence and the attack that helps break down defences. A tireless midfielder, Ivan Rakitic is one of the most active player in the team and has featured in more matches than some of the other leaders of the team.

#5: Marc-Andre ter Stegen (12 million Euros)

The Neuer replacement Germany didn't expect.

The German was left in tears when he had to bid adieu to his boyhood club Borussia Mönchengladbach but little did he knew about the near-legendary status he would attain in Spain. Definitely spoiled with goalkeeping choices, Barcelona has the luxury of not one, but two world-class goalkeepers in the shape of Cillessen and ter Stegen.

Originally a backup to Claudio Bravo, Stegen started his Barcelona career by featuring in the Champions League and leading the team to treble glory under Luis Enrique. After Bravo's move to Manchester City, Stegen was picked up as the number one keeper ahead of new signing Jasper Cillessen, who came in with way more experience than the German.

ter Stegen's popularity and value has increased exponentially in the last two years. The German has established himself strongly among the 'Top 5 Goalkeepers' club. Excellent on his feet and brilliant between the goal, Stegen is expected to lead his national side in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in case Manuel Neuer fails to recover in time, and when a keeper is set to replace someone like Neuer, it is understandable that he is something extraordinary. The starlet has already represent Die Mannschaft in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, which they won.