Barcelona expecting only one new arrival during the January transfer window – report

Days after the summer transfer window had slammed shut, speculations about Barcelona’s plans for January had already started doing the rounds.

It has been reported that the Catalan giants wish to bring in a new defensive midfielder who can provide cover for and compete with summer signing Oriol Romeu for the pivot position.

Names such as Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis and Arsenal’s Jorginho were said to be potential targets as their contracts expire in 2024.

Just one new face expected

However, a fresh update from Alfredo Martinez via SPORT claims that there will only be one new arrival at Barcelona during the January transfer window and that will be Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense.

As things stand, unless there are any major injuries, Barça are not planning on signing any more players during the winter window, owing to the Financial Fair Play situation.

Furthermore, the report adds that even though the squad is not big, the La Liga champions see it as well-balanced, with support from the youth and reserve players.

As such, unless something unexpected happens, Barcelona will not be bringing in any other player, apart from Roque.

Roque’s arrival will be a boost

The Blaugrana signed Roque in the summer itself, shelling out a sum of €30 million (plus €31 million in variables) for the teenage wonderkid.

However, it was agreed that the 18-year-old will remain with Athletico Paranaense until 2024 before arriving in Catalonia.

The young striker is making the most of his final months at Athletico and has netted 20 goals and set up eight more during the 2023 season in Brazil.

Roque’s arrival, in his current form, will thus be a big boost for Barcelona, especially considering that Robert Lewandowski has not been firing on all cylinders of late.

The teenager will add more firepower to Xavi’s attacking arsenal in the second period of the campaign.