Transfer deadline looms as Barcelona stalls on striker and 43 deals remain in La Liga
Barcelona has refused any temporary forward signings unless Julián Álvarez arrives, while La Liga still has 43 pending transfers, mostly defensive players.
Barcelona's management, including Deco and Flick, has set a strict condition that the club will not sign a temporary striker unless Julián Álvarez becomes available, effectively leaving the forward line empty for now. In the broader Spanish market, seven days remain before the transfer deadline and La Liga still has 43 deals to finalize, with clubs prioritising defensive reinforcements over attacking options, and only seven teams actively seeking a number nine.
Italian side Fiorentina saw a disappointing first appearance from Mastantuono, raising questions about his future impact. At Lille, Davide Ancelotti continues to motivate players with references to Greek mythology, a method highlighted by Olivier Giroud. The article also highlights three key matches scheduled for the evening: Valencia versus Betis, LASK versus Celtic in a Champions League qualifier, and Nottingham Forest against Leeds United in the EFL Cup.
Why it matters
The decisions shape key transfer strategies for major clubs as the deadline approaches.
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