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We are already in December, the last month of the year and Catalan giants, FC Barcelona, just like other European clubs will be reflecting on their activities during the year to know how well they have done - especially in relation to the players they signed and how these superstars have fared so far.
It has been a very busy year for the La Liga champions who worked really hard in the transfer market, signing a couple of fantastic players to bolster Ernesto Valverde's squad as they look forward to continuing with their domestic dominance and also return the UEFA Champions League trophy to the Catalan capital.
Having spent around £300 million on player acquisitions during the year, it is very important we take look at how these players have fared since they joined the Catalan giants. Therefore, we rank the top 5 Barcelona signings of 2018, taking into consideration their performances, influence and how well they have settled in the team so far:
DISCLAIMER: Ousmane Dembele is not on the list because he was not signed this year. He joined Barcelona during the summer of 2017.
#5 Malcom
In one of the funniest transfers that took place this summer, Barcelona hijacked Brazilian winger Malcom under the noses of Roma. The former Bordeaux superstar was on the verge of completing a move to the Italian capital before the Blaugrana came in at the last minute and lured him to the Nou Camp.
Having impressed during the preseason and even bagging an incredible goal against Roma to rub more salt in their wound, many expected the winger to become a prominent figure in Ernesto Valverde's squad, but he struggled to get opportunities to come his way, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele pushing him down the pecking order.
That opportunity would later come during a UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan and the Brazilian grabbed it with both hands, scoring a brilliant effort in his first European outing for the Catalan giants. He has followed that up with a couple of exciting performances and he found the back of the net again during Barcelona's 4-1 humiliation of Cultura Leonesa in the Copa Del Rey recently.
Although Malcom has not had plenty of opportunities ever since he switched to Nou Camp this summer, he has impressed in every chance that came his way and it is interesting to see how he is gradually becoming an important figure for the team - making his transfer a successful one after all.
#4 Arturo Vidal
When Barcelona signed Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal during the summer transfer window, many eyebrows were raised towards the transfer, with many coming up with the argument that the former Bayern Munich man does not fit into the Barcelona style of play due to his physical approach to the game.
However, Vidal has proved to be a specialist when it comes to proving is critics wrong throughout his career just as he showed during his time in both the Seria A and the German Bundesliga and he has repeated that at Barcelona, where he has settled down quickly and become an important asset to Ernesto Valverde.
The Chilean has put every doubt to bed with his impressive performances in the Catalan capital so far, adapting to the Barcelona style of play quickly and returning the spark that has been lost in the Blaugrana midfield for several years which makes his transfer turn out to be a brilliant one in the face of his critics.
#3 Clement Lenglet
Another Barcelona signing who joined the club from Sevilla FC during the summer transfer window, French International, Clement Lenglet has also impressed with his performances ever since he departed the Andalusians to move to the Catalan capital this summer.
Similar to other Barcelona recruits during the transfer window, Clement Lenglet's transfer did not go without some negative assessments, this time, owing to his age and experience as well as if he was ready to handle the pressure of playing for a club as big as Barcelona at this particular point in his career.
However, Clement Lenglet has taken to the pitch to prove that his move to the Nou Camp isn't a premature one. With Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermelean facing severe injury concerns this season, Ernesto Valverde called on the center back to partner Gerard Pique at the heart of the defense and the Frenchman repaid the trust of his manager with a couple of scintillating displays.
With his ability to play the ball on the ground, coupled with his rigidity, composure and aerial strength, Lenglet has quickly become an undisputed figure at the Nou Camp this season and he has represented the Blaugrana in a whopping 16 games across all competition so far during the term.
#2 Arthur Melo
Barcelona deserve a medal for their capturing of Brazilian superstar Arthur Melo during the summer transfer window - with the former Gremio playmaker turning out to be a huge bargain for the Catalan club - courtesy of his unbelievable performances at the Nou Camp so far.
Arthur needed only one start to seal his place in Ernesto Valverde's lineup, putting in an unimaginable performance against Tottenham Hotspur during a Champions League encounter and he has gone further to maintain his spot, breaking passing records in La Liga and earning a lot of comparison with two of Barcelona's midfield greats, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.
With his incredible vision, amazing passing, unbelievable press resistance, and intelligent positioning, Arthur is not just one of the finest Barcelona signings in 2018, his transfer is also one of the most impressive coups the Catalan giants have achieved in many years.
#1 Philippe Coutinho
Following a transfer tug of war between Barcelona and Liverpool during the winter, the Catalans eventually succeeded in their mission to lure Philippe Coutinho from the English Premier League, making him the most expensive signing in the club's history with his £142 million transfer fee.
Despite joining the club during the latter stages of last season, Coutinho still had a hand in Barcelona's success during the campaign - recording an incredible 10 goals and 6 assists to his name in 22 appearances as the Blaugrana claimed both the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy.
The Brazilian playmaker has also begun the new season in an electrifying form, bagging an amazing 5 goals and 4 assists in 18 appearances for the Catalans across all competitions - which is enough to suggest that he is justifying both his transfer fee and his status as one of the finest Barcelona signings of 2018.
