Just over a month ago, we were looking to the prospect of a Barça Femení summer all quiet on the transfer front. Fretting over the possibility of still being restricted in spending, so as to give better profit margins in FFP calculations for the men’s team, it was possible that the two headline signings of Ewa Pajor and Ellie Roebuck (effectively replacing Asisat Oshoala and Sandra Paños) could well be it.
Then Mariona Caldentey officially announced her departure – with Blaugranagram able to report her decision to join Arsenal – and thus opened the possibility of another big name signing.
And then, oh and then, the confirmation from La Liga that Barcelona masculí would be able to return to 1:1 FFP this summer. Financial anxiety in the other sections, used somewhat as collateral, gone. Barça Femení has impressive commercial income and now, perhaps, will not be afraid to spend it.
The summer transfer market has just opened. It could have been quiet, in terms of signings if not chismes, but could it be that unburdened with fiscal responsibility and coming off a quadruple-winning season, Barça Femení will not merely be happy with covering needs. Could Marc Vivés – having secured Pajor as a bargain for under €400,000 (though, perhaps, with caveats if Wolfsburg’s interest in Ari Arias is to be believed) – really just, well, be a bit greedy?
