FC Barcelona: How Joan Laporta and Barca are making all the right noises this transfer window

Competition within the squad

Possibly the biggest plus point of the additions of Emerson, Garcia and Aguero is that they bring with them competition for places in the Barca XI.

Pique, Lenglet and Umtiti were far from their best with Pique repeatedly struggling with injuries. Yet they played a combined 6444 minutes across all competitions last season because of sheer necessity.

The likes of Minqueza and Araujo delivered consistent performances, but even they were found lacking at times because of the lack of competition for places within the squad.

The same could be said of Sergino Dest and Antoine Griezmann. To some extent, both of them became complacent and while Griezmann has had a terrific 2021 so far, Dest never really found his mojo in the 41 matches he played.

The possibility of losing their place in the squad might just be the incentive they need to train harder and justify their selection in this team.

Now that we are getting Memphis then the only possible way to split game time if dembele and grizou stay is that messi plays at cam and de jong and busquets/pedri in mid. Then in the attack depay/ansu, aguero/griezmann, dembele/griezmann

— Fcb_ Culé (@FcbVij) June 11, 2021

Resolving Barca's faltering finances

Barca's finances have for long been their biggest problem. But under Laporta, so far, they have shown incredible maturity money-wise. There have been reports that a number of star players have agreed to take pay-cuts.

With Garcia and Aguero coming in as free agents, and Emerson for a mere 9 million euros - the only thing remaining, finance-wise, is to sell off some deadwood to balance the books.

Then comes the curious case of Georginio Wijnaldum. When PSG lured him away with extra cash, Barca remained stoic with their offer and that says a lot. Because had this still been Bartomeu's reign, we would have been guaranteed a bidding war with one of the richest clubs in the world.

This would have eventually meant squandering a lot of money for an aging player. But what Barca's take it or leave it offer suggests is that Barca know what they want, they know their limits, and have contingencies in place. That speaks volumes about Joan Laporta's thought process right now.

Georginio Wijnaldum has decided to join Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona have NO intention to raise their bid after they agreement ready by 2 weeks and medicals planned. 🚨🇳🇱Gini is now set to accept PSG proposal until 2024 with salary more than doubled [compared to Barça bid]. https://t.co/ImrYvlaMWg

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2021

This is further evidenced by Donarumma's situation. There was no way Ter Stegen was going to leave the club, and with Donarumma's hefty wages, he was never a realistic candidate for FCB. Yet, somehow, Barca remained in the mix and caused his price to rise for the likes of Juventus and PSG.

What this has done is strengthened bonds with his agent Raiola for future transfers, and as one fan put it - these are just 'Laporta things'.

Barca remained in the mix to sign Donarumma