What Does the Ideal Summer Look Like for FC Barcelona?

FC Barcelona has been Spain’s best team by nearly every metric this year. Even after their biggest rivals signed Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer, Barca won every domestic competition, played in the Champions League Semifinals for the first time since 2019, and beat Real Madrid four times. Hansi Flick fielded one of Spain’s youngest teams and massively overachieved in his first year coaching the Catalan giants. More good news is that club president Joan Laporta said he’s confident his club will be within the 1:1 rule for this transfer window, which makes signing new players easier. Barca’s era of financial turmoil seems to be waning at a key time as their rivals in Madrid are reloading, having already made deals with multiple players. Here’s what Barcelona should do this summer to keep the good times rolling for Culers. 

1. Find another competent winger.

In the 2024-25 season, Raphina and Lamine Yamal played in over 50 matches and logged more than 4000 minutes. Both wingers had excellent years, but these minutes are probably unsustainable as neither player missed extended periods with injury, and they are both regulars for their respective national teams. Flick’s go-to substitutes in the attack were Ferrán Torres and Fermin López. This shouldn’t continue for the next season because Torres also has to back up the aging Robert Lewandowski, and López is a midfielder, as he often comes into games for Dani Olmo, who is prone to injuries. Ansu Fati looks to be on his way out, which could pave the way for a new signing, as no other winger has played more than one match. Barca should look for a winger who can roam either flank to be a quality backup for Raphina and Yamal. An option I’d like the sporting director Deco to consider is Lyon’s Malick Fofana. Fofana is right-footed, important since Raphina and Yamal are left-footed, and can play on both wings. Fofana can score with both feet; of his 11 goals this campaign, five have come from his right foot and six have come from his left. Fofana’s club finished sixth in Ligue 1 and currently has to qualify to make the Europa Conference League. Lyon also has financial issues, which could make them more keen on selling Fofana, who at the tender age of 20 is valued at 25 million euros by Transfermarkt. 

There have been recent talks that Liverpool’s Luis Díaz is one of Barca’s top targets. Díaz, in his own right, is a good player; he’s a good dribbler and could offer the deadly right foot Barca lack on their wings. However, Liverpool would demand a high price for the Colombian as he’s valued at 85 million euros. Barcelona shouldn’t be spending that kind of money on a player who is in his prime but likely a bench player, especially considering their finances aren’t the healthiest. Even though Liverpool may try to offload Díaz to make a big signing, Barca should instead look for a younger and cheaper option at winger like Fofana. 

2. Invest in a younger striker now. 

Lewandowski had an excellent campaign in his third season with the Blaugrana, totaling 25 league goals playing in 33 matches. At 36 years old, he’s running out of reliable elite performances, which is why Barca should look for his long-term replacement now. A great option could be Lille’s Jonathan David, who has run out his contract and will be available on a free transfer. The Canadian has been Lille’s go-to striker for the last five years and has scored 87 goals in club competitions. David is only 25 years old, meaning there’s time for him to develop; his growth could be accelerated by watching Lewandowski. David is not an elite player, but his free agent status makes him an excellent option as a low-risk signing who wouldn’t need to start immediately if he joins Barca. 

If Barca are truly willing to roll the dice this summer, another option could be Benjamin Šeško of RB Leipzig. The Slovenian striker is an athletic freak at six-foot-four who can also outpace center backs. Šeško outperformed his xG in the Bundesliga and is only 21 with plenty of time to grow. He’s valued at 65 million euros and will likely cost more, but with Leipzig failing to qualify for European competition, they could be pressured to sell him. Barca will probably have to compete with clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature, but if they secure it, they’ll have their striker plans set indefinitely. 

3. Find a new goalkeeper.

Barca’s goalkeeper situation this season was rather bizarre. Marc-André ter Stegen started the year but was injured against Villarreal during match week six. Iñaki Peña took over and looked solid while Wojciech Szczęsny was signed out of retirement. Szczęsny then replaced Peña around the start of the year and has since started every important game. Szczęsny will be offered a new contract, but may also go back to the beaches of Marbella and re-retire. If Szczęsny does leave, Barca should look for a new option at keeper to at least compete with ter Stegen, as Peña could leave this summer if he believes he’s outgrown backup duties. Ter Stegen himself has fallen slightly out of favor as he recently turned 33 and has now missed extended periods for consecutive seasons. Recent reports indicate his time in Barcelona could be nearing its end. If so, an obvious answer to consider is Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez, who could very well be leaving Birmingham this summer. Martínez is under contract until 2029, so his fee would likely exceed his value of 25 million euros. Manchester United are reportedly also gunning for Argentina’s first-choice keeper, but if the Red Devils lose tomorrow and fail to qualify for European football, their offer may look less enticing. Another option is Espanyol’s Joan García, who has a release clause of 25 million euros that could grow to 30 million if Spain calls him up for the summer. García is a growing prospect at just 24 and is a beast in the box, excellent at handling crosses. He’ll need to grow his confidence on the ball and outside the box to fit Flick’s system, but he could be a great long-term option. He’ll likely be difficult to sign considering he’s a hot prospect and because Barca is Espanyol’s biggest rival, but they won’t have to agree to a deal with Espanyol, only the player if they trigger his release clause. If García joins the Blaugrana, he could back up ter Stegen or start immediately, as he’s certainly a player worth pursuing.

With Real Madrid making major moves, there’s pressure for Barcelona to build off last season’s success instead of being complacent. There are plenty of players who Barca likely cannot rely on to play the same heavy minutes next season, as they’ll have to be savvy and look to increase their depth. Their finances typically don’t make these moves easy, but there are expendable players they could move from, like Fati, Clément Lenglet, or Álex Valle, to make room for new signings. Their massive success in 2024-25 has made their project look attractive and has revitalized their allure. With their financial situation looking the healthiest it has looked for a while, this is the summer Barcelona should spend.