Fallen giants Barcelona are currently sitting eighth in La Liga, and are still reeling from their humiliating group-stage exit in the Champions League.The transfer window is slowly approaching which could provide something new and fresh to the soul-searching team from Camp Nou. However, amid a horrifying scrap heap of investment, the Catalans transfer budget reportedly only has room for loan signings and free transfers. Sergio Aguero’s heartbreaking retirement has left Blaugrana manager Xavi with only one out-and-out striker. Former Newcastle United flop Luuk de Jong (on loan from Sevilla) is the only natural centre-forward in Barcelona’s frontline.In the past, Barca’s attack was something Blaugrana fans never doubted. Samuel Eto’o, David Villa…and probably the last great striker signing – Luis Suarez in 2014 (85 million USD).A teary farewell – Kun Aguero, the best player in the history of Manchester City, retires from footballBut after that deal, it all lead to flops and misses. If you take attacking midfielders and wingers into consideration also – 2015 is when it all started going downwards, both financially and through results.The Catalans invested 27 million USD in Atletico Madrid’s Arda Turan and the year after – 28 million USD in Valencia’s Paco Alcacer.Selling Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017 season for 225 million USD was great news for the club’s balance but it did not guarantee the money earned will be well spent.Ousmane Dembele was brought from Borussia Dortmund for 153 million USD immediately after the Brazilian’s departure and Antoine Griezmann was signed for 120 million USD from Atletico Madrid in 2019.Boca Juniors called Cavani, he told them his is going to BarcelonaThe club continued misfiring between 2018 and 2021 – Malcom (41 million USD – Bordeaux), Kevin Prince-Boateng (loan-Sassuolo), Martin Braithwaite (17 million USD – Leganes), and Trincao (28 million USD – Braga) all came but failed to better the team.The only ones left at the club are Dembele and Braithwaite – however the Frenchman’s future at the Nou Camp has also been up in the air over the last few seasons.At this current moment – with the club reportedly suffering over 1.1 billion USD of debt – the days of Barcelona’s ferocious and expensive transfer outlay are beyond them.Another veteran at the door: Alexis Sanchez could return only if…The club was prohibited from committing Messi to a new contract because they could not align with new La Liga Financial Fairplay Regulations. The Argentinean was reportedly prepared to accept a 50% pay-cut but even so – the club couldn’t do anything about Messi leaving.Barcelona president Joan Laporta promised new reinforcements in January – regardless of their budget and margin for new arrivals sitting being painfully thin.“Xavi has asked us to strengthen the squad and we are going to try to do it, but in this moment, we haven’t got any margin to do it,” he said in an interview with Marca.“Therefore, in this moment we can’t, but we have to let the sporting department work.”Sat, 20.30: (1.37) BARCELONA (5.30) ELCHE (9.00)Ferran Torres of Manchester City has emerged as a top target for the La Liga giants, but he would not be available on a free transfer or a loan signing. Other names such as former Arsenal captain Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Edinson Cavani of Manchester United, Basel striker Arthur Cabral, and former Barcelona star, Alexis Sanchez – all appear as potential transfer targets.
