With the transfer window now done and dusted, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the business conducted by Barcelona this summer.

Barcelona were quite impressive in the 2024/25 season. Hansi Flick had almost transformed the squad after taking charge last summer. They played an exciting brand of football, dominating opponents with relative ease.

While they did fall short in the Champions League, it was still a hugely successful campaign considering their struggles in recent years.

The Catalan giants boasted the best attack in La Liga, and their defence was solid as well. With a midfield capable of controlling the tempo and dictating possession, Barcelona looked complete. Crucially, Flick managed to bring the best out of everyone in the squad.

Although things went according to plan last season, Barcelona were still expected to make a few changes to strengthen their chances of going the distance in Europe. They entered the market for a new winger and a goalkeeper and have succeeded in bringing in two quality additions.

However, they have also parted ways with some exciting young talents and a veteran central defender, departures that could have a significant impact on their upcoming campaign.

Ins and outs

Barcelona’s financial struggles continue, forcing them to part ways with players they would ideally prefer to keep. In order to balance the books and create space for potential new signings, the club often lets go of players who could still play an important role in the team.

This summer, they sanctioned the departures of three young prospects in Alex Valle, Pablo Torre, and Pau Víctor. While none of them played a major role under Flick, and Barcelona have enough depth to cover their absence, the same cannot be said about the departure of Inigo Martínez.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Martinez was still an integral part of the team last season. He was Flick’s go-to man at the back, and his absence has already been felt in the early fixtures. Allowing him to leave on a free transfer without signing a proper replacement does not make much sense.

Outs: Alex Valle, Pablo Torre and Pau Victor

Free Transfers Out: Clement Lenglet and Inigo Martinez

Loaned Out: Ansu Fati, Hector Fort, Inaki Pena, and Ander Astralaga

While quite a few players left the club, Barcelona only made a handful of signings in the summer. They were desperate to have a new world-class forward, and they brought in Marcus Rashford for that role. While Luis Diaz was their initial target, the finances involved proved difficult to sign the Colombian international.

Diaz ended up joining Bayern Munich, and Barcelona signed the versatile Rashford on loan from United. The Spanish giants can make the move permanent next summer for around £26 million (€30m).

Apart from the English international, Flick’s team struck a deal for Joan Garcia, who has had an impressive rise at Espanyol. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen struggling to stay fit, Barcelona have invested in someone who can be their new number one in the long run.

Meanwhile, they struck a deal to sign Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen. He is considered one of the most exciting young talents in the world, and the Spanish giants have managed to snap him up at the right time.

Ins: Joan Garcia and Roony Bardghji

Loaned In: Marcus Rashford

Marquee Signing

Marcus Rashford

Barcelona had the best attack in La Liga last season, and they have now gone on to add another world-class star to the mix. While Raphinha has been doing wonders on the left flank, bringing in Rashford gives Flick a lot of tactical flexibility.

The English international’s presence will allow the German manager to rotate his forwards, ensure Lamine Yamal isn’t burned out, and the ageing Robert Lewandowski gets a chance to rest every now and then. While Rashford hasn’t been at his peak for some time, he did show glimpses of rediscovering his form during his loan spell at Aston Villa.

Given the quality of players around him at Barcelona, it is only a matter of time before he clicks. Once he is firing on all cylinders, he could help take their attack to another level. Rashford’s arrival might actually help them end their wait for the Champions League title.

Value for Money Signing

Roony Bardghji

Bardghji is considered to be one of the best young talents to have emerged from Sweden in recent years. He is quite highly rated by everyone, and Barcelona managed to secure his services for just €2 million.

While there are some performance-related add-ons, and Copenhagen will get a percentage of any future sales, the €2 million fee still seems to be a massive bargain. It was only possible because the teenager’s contract with the Danish club was set to expire in December.

A ligament injury kept Bardghji on the sidelines for the majority of last season, but he has now regained full fitness. Given the kind of rise he has had, the 19-year-old should make an instant impact at the Spanish club. While he might not get an important role in the team for now, he can certainly become one of their mainstays in the future.

Inevitable Departure

Clement Lenglet

Lenglet spent the last season on loan at Atletico Madrid. While he did wonders for Diego Simeone’s team, there was no way back for him at Barcelona.

The 30-year-old centre-back joined the Catalan giants back in 2018 from Sevilla. While he was an integral part of their team in the initial years, he eventually lost his place in the team and has spent the last few seasons out on loan.

While he returned to his parent club after an impressive loan spell at Atletico, he wasn’t a part of Flick’s plans moving ahead. As a result, the Catalan giant agreed to terminate his contract. They were keen on getting him off their books, and he ended up signing a three-year deal with Diego Simeone’s team.

The Big Miss

Luis Diaz

Before Barcelona ended up signing Marcus Rashford, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz was their priority target. Deco is a massive admirer of the Colombian international, and he did push hard to secure his services.

As per the reports, Diaz was also very keen on playing for the Catalan giants. However, the financial demands of the deal were beyond the Spanish club’s reach. As a result, they ended up missing out on the 28-year-old.

He eventually joined Bayern Munich in a deal worth €75 million. While Marcus Rashford seems to be an ideal alternative, Diaz could have been a much better fit for Flick’s system and Barcelona’s project.

More importantly, Diaz has been a consistent performer for Liverpool, unlike Rashford, who has struggled to hit top form in recent seasons. The United forward looks more like a short-term fix unless the move is made permanent next summer, whereas Diaz could easily have offered five to six years at the highest level.

Verdict – 6/10

Barcelona’s summer business had its positives, but it also raised a few concerns. The arrival of Marcus Rashford, even if only on loan, provides Flick with much-needed depth and flexibility in attack, while Roony Bardghji’s signing looks like an absolute bargain for the future.

Adding Joan Garcia was also a smart move, given Ter Stegen’s fitness concerns. These moves show intent and address some immediate needs, but whether Rashford can rediscover his best form remains a big question.

On the flip side, the decision to let go of Inigo Martinez without bringing in a proper replacement could prove costly. Despite his age, the veteran defender was a key figure at the back last season and one of Flick’s most trusted players.

His leadership and experience are already being missed in the early part of the campaign, and Barcelona may find themselves short in defence as the season progresses. Considering the combination of promising signings and questionable exits, their window feels more like a step sideways than forward.