Barcelona Transfer News: January Budget 'Nearly Nothing,' Latest Rumours

Barcelona may have to partake in some wheeling and dealing if they’re to make new signings in the January transfer window, with reports claiming the club have next to nothing to spend midseason.  

According to Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport, the European champions may struggle to bring in the attacking player they crave when the window opens:

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Barcelona's technical staff are still looking for the best option to achieve success this season with the incorporation of an attacking player in the winter window.

There’s no clear urgency, but the recommendation that has been given to the board is this and they are working to sign a special player. The board is not opposed to the idea and will study the options, but the budget is nearly nothing. There will be no extravagance until June. 

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In the piece, it’s noted Barca’s technical secretary Robert Fernandez has met with “various agents” of “interesting players.” Miguelsanz claims that with money so tight, the club may even look at a loan deal in order to get targets in, adding an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the term.

Despite sitting pretty atop La Liga heading into this weekend’s massive clash with Real Madrid, the possibility of not spending any money in January will be a concern to some Barcelona fans. Granted, the likes of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will add some welcome relief in the January window when they’re permitted to join the group, but the Blaugrana are light in a lot of areas.

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As noted by Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, it’s worrying for the Camp Nou club that the Blaugrana don’t have depth to compete with sides who are in a much less privileged financial position:

As noted, another attacking player to help cover for the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar would make things a lot easier for manager Luis Enrique. A loan deal may be the way forward for Barcelona in January with that in mind; if things do go well, they can take up an option to buy, while if they don’t, they can each go their separate ways.

Barcelona Linked with Alessandro Florenzi

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Roma’s Alessandro Florenzi caught the eye with a stunning goal against Barcelona when the two sides met in the Champions League earlier this season, and according to AS (h/t Sumeet Paul of Gazzetta dello Sport), the Blaugrana have isolated the versatile midfielder as a potential transfer target.

The La Liga giants are said to be running the rule over a host of Serie A stars as they seek to add to their squad, and they see Florenzi as the “perfect fit for the team.” Here’s a look at what the 24-year-old is capable of:

There’d definitely be value in signing someone like Florenzi. The midfielder is technically sound, intelligent and, as was evident by his remarkable long-range strike against Barcelona earlier in the season, he’s someone capable of producing the spectacular. The Italy international is having an exceptional season, too, filling in at right-back for the majority of the term.

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He’d be unwise to jump at the chance of moving to Barcelona. At the moment, he’s getting regular game time with Roma, and while that’s allowed Florenzi the opportunity to flourish, it’s not something he’d be afforded at the Camp Nou, especially having to compete with Vidal, who is a similarly versatile, right-sided player.

Florenzi adores playing for Roma, too. Born in the Italian capital, he is one of a few players in this current squad that have a strong bond with the region and the supporters. When Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi do eventually hang up their boots, the Giallorossi faithful will turn to Florenzi to be the heartbeat of this team, a challenge you suspect he'll be keen to take on.