Now that the transfer window is closed, most clubs can breathe a sigh of relief. While some may sigh that their squad hasn’t been strengthened, others will thank their stars that the transfer window hasn’t resulted in the further plundering of their squads. Barcelona, on the other hand, are concentrating on the resources they have already acquired and are looking to extend the contracts of Luis Suarez, Ivan Ratikic and their homegrown star, Lionel Messi.
Having let go of 13 players on loan and transfers, which included the likes of Alex Song, Dani Alves and Vermaelen along with keeper Claudio Bravo, Barcelona needed to strengthen this summer and have now added Paco Alcacer, stated the sporting director Albert Soler. Further, he went on to highlight the need to tie down the trio of Messi, Suarez and Ratikic.
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Alber Soler, was speaking to the Media on Thursday and he spoke on the recently concluded transfer window while addressing the existing youth system present at La Masia. He also spoke about the work of the club’s technical secretary and praised the personnel behind the creation of such a title challenging squad. Over the summer as was stated by Albert Sorer, on the Barcelona website, “We have closed 22 transactions, with three renewals of Mascherano, Busquets and Neymar, which are all very important”.
The trio have contracts running till the years 2019 (Suarez & Ratikic) & 2018 (Messi) respectively and now the Barcelona boss Luis Enrique are looking to present a new deal after discussions with club officials. President Joseph Maria Bartomeu speaking to local radio station Catalunya Radio, also expressed interest in the renewal of the contracts, although he refrained from discussing the manager’s future whose contract runs out at the end of this season.
Stating that the club hadn’t shied away from spending this summer having spent €120 Million and signing the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Alcacer, Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne, Jasper Cillessen and Dennis Suarez, who have only strengthened the existing squad.
The coach Luis Enrique, is about to enter his third season with the Blaugrana and will hope to retain the same level of success and standards that he has laid down at the club. Over the summer there was interest in the Brazilian Neymar as well, who was away on Olympic duty with the national side, who went on to win the gold as well. The Brazilian though chose to extend his contract and hopefully will soon resume the partnership with Messi and Suarez.
