Ranking the probability of every FC Barcelona signing rumour to actually happen
By Jim James
It’s July, and transfer rumours run rampant. Everyone is linked everywhere, transfers are on and then they aren’t, it’s a madhouse. In the tornado of news, it’s hard to decipher which stories are founded and which stories are nonsense. Today I’ll try to clear it all up for you with someone with almost 3 years experience in journalism and one of the closest watchers of Barca this transfer window. Let’s begin.
From Most to Least Likely
Raphinha
Club: Leeds
Position: RW
Age: 25
Fee: 58m
Rivals: Arsenal, Chelsea
Probability: 99.9%
Barca, of course, would have preferred the 25m release clause had Leeds gotten relegated, the transfer would have long since been announced and presented. We’re going for 58m instead, plus 10 million in addons, as was reported this morning after Barca sent an official bid of 58m+10m instead of the previously rumoured 72m. The transfer bid should still be accepted, and it should be announced very soon.
Martin Georgiev
Club: Slava Sofia
Position: CB
Age: 16
Fee: Unknown
Rivals: Slava Sofia
Probability: 99.9%
This should be the next signing announced by Barcelona, except it will be announced by Barca Atletic (Barca B’s new name) in the next few days. Everything is signed, and he will join, guaranteed. The Center-Back was born in 2005, and made his debut in the Bulgarian first tier for Slava Sofia at the age of 15. This guy has the world at his feet, and I cannot wait to see what he can bring to Barca B.
Roman Vega
Club: Argentinos Juniors
Position: LB
Age: 18
Fee: Loan, Option to Buy
Rivals: Argentinos Juniors
Probability: 95%
Another signing by Atletic, and Roman Vega could be the man to lock down the LB position for Barca Atletic as the club moves into a new era. He has made his Argentine League debut for the senior side, but has got most of his games for the U20s. He is also an Argentina U20 International, and all that has gone into consideration for Rafa Marquez’s men, and I think he should do well.
Robert Lewandowski
Club: Bayern Munchen
Position: ST
Age: 33
Fee: 50m
Rivals: Chelsea, Bayern
Probability: 92%
This Probability has gone up a ton since yesterday. Now that a fee seems to be agreed, Robert Lewandowski is on his way to Barca. He will say goodbye to his teammates today, taking one last trip to Munich, alone, with his wife and kids still on holiday in Spain. His wife also accidentally leaked the move big time, following FC Barcelona on Instagram. This will be happening.
Jules Kounde
Club: Sevilla
Position: CB
Age: 24
Fee: 50-60m
Rivals: Chelsea
Probabilty: 75%
The most important signing for Barca to make in my humble opinion. It seemed far fetched until last month, but talks opened and the deal should happen soon, and after the inevitable completion of the Raphinha and Lewandowski deals, Laporta, Alemany, and co will turn their full attention to this deal, probably speeding it up. This one should happen, too.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Club: Chelsea
Position: RB
Age: 32
Fee: 8m
Rivals: Chelsea
Probability: 45%
I’m not sure what to think with this deal. Alright, he may be a solid RB replacement for Dest as it would allow us to make a skill and money increase at that position, he’s 32 and promising RBs are hard to come by. He would be only a makeshift solution, but one that we would need if we want to make a title push next season. Not looking likely at the moment, with a deal being stalled over the huge amount of 5 million.
Marcos Alonso
Club: Chelsea
Position: LB
Age: 31
Fee: 12m
Rivals: Chelsea
Probability: 40%
I reckon Jordi Alba has one more season left in him, so Alonso would be a backup, getting about 15 games. He’s definitely not Barca-level, but could provide assurance as we search for a Top 10 Left Back next season. Also, a former Madridsta joining Barca, I love to see it. The deal is also being stalled. Chelsea want 12m for him, but Barca only want to offer 7-8 million.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Club: Aston Villa
Position: CAM
Age: 18
Fee: Unknown
Rivals: Aston Villa, Dortmund
Probability: 40%
This is the first deal to not have negotiations on its side, but Barca could still make this happen. The first links to him were over a month ago, but after the saga going quiet, I thought it was over. Until yesterday, when Fabrizio Romano said it was still on and Barca had heavy interest in him. He would be a Barca Atletic player of course, hopefully making his debut in late 22-23 or early 23-24. He would be the marquee player of Atletic, starting every game, and if we do get into an injury crisis, he would make a few appearances. This would be a very cool signing if it were to happen.
That’s all for today folks. I can’t wait to see how things play out, but until then, I’m Jim James, until next time.