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Barcelona have had a rather strange summer transfer window. They have had to part ways with both Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, among many other players. They've come out on the other side of the window weaker than they were going into it. The Barcelona board is now focusing on future deals.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top stories involving Barcelona from 5 September 2021.
Samuel Umtiti was in tears as he convinced Joan Laporta to let him stay
Samuel Umtiti was among several players that Barcelona had put up for sale this summer. However, the centre-back refused to leave the club as he is determined to prove himself at Barcelona. Umtiti's stint with the Catalans has been marred by injuries.
According to Marca, Umtiti was in tears as he tried to convince Barcelona president Joan Laporta that he should be given one more chance. Laporta reportedly told Umtiti that he hasn't contributed much to the club in recent times due to his injury issues.
But the Frenchman told Laporta that the Barcelona medical team failed in treating his injury properly. The Barcelona president decided to let Umtiti stay for the 2021-22 season and promised him that he will speak to Koeman about him.
Umtiti won the 2018 World Cup with France and has won two La Liga titles and three Copa Del Reys with the Catalans.
Ronald Koeman deemed Pjanic not a good fit for the club's style of play
Miralem Pjanic has joined Turkish club Besiktas on a season-long loan deal. He has described his experience with Ronald Koeman as one of the strangest relationships he's had with a coach. Pjanic started just six games in La Liga in the 2020-21 season after joining from Juventus in the summer of 2020.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Ronald Koeman did not pick Pjanic regularly because his style of play did not suit Barcelona's. Koeman is well aware of Pjanic's qualities and considers him a talented player. But his Barcelona side had no use for a player like Pjanic who Koeman believes is too defensive.
Koeman wants the players in his midfield pivot to press opponents high up the pitch. That is why Koeman preferred Frenkie De Jong to Miralem Pjanic. It is further claimed that the Barcelona manager did not ask for Pjanic's signing and that he is a player the Barcelona board forced upon him.
Barcelona schedule talks with RB Leipzig for Dani Olmo
Barcelona's frontline has been considerably weakened following the departures of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. The club is already looking to bring in reinforcements and wants to do so as early as January.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona want to sign RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo. They have already scheduled talks with RB Leipzig to discuss terms over a potential deal for the 23-year-old.
Olmo has spent seven years at Barcelona's youth academy between 2007 and 2014. He is reportedly happy to sign a five-year deal with the Catalans. Olmo was an important player for RB Leipzig in the 2020-21 season. In 46 appearances across all competitions, he scored seven goals and provided 12 assists.
Olmo also provided three assists in five appearances for the Spanish national team at eE
