FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona

Earlier in the month, it was reported that Barcelona were on their way to sign Hamza Abdelkarim, who is regarded as one of the most gifted young footballers in North Africa. Currently plying his trade for Al Ahly, Abdelkarim was expected to join the Barça Atletic setup that has been rocked by the news of Dro's departure as well as injuries for several offensive players.

Barcelona recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Del Rey thanks to a 2-0 win over Racing Santander that extended the club's winning run to 11 consecutive matches in all competitions. It was a relatively straightforward evening for a Barça team, which has done business with Racing Santander in the past, most recently signing Pablo Torre. Now, it appears Racing are set to raid Barcelona this January for the services of one of their star talents at La Masia.

The future of Pedro Fernandez 'Dro' is becoming increasingly clearer after the youngster made a shock decision to leave Barcelona this January, amid a lack of game time. PSG have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign the young midfield prodigy, who is termed as one of the most gifted players to come out of La Masia in recent memory.

For over a decade, the back of the Barcelona shirt has been a space dedicated to social causes rather than commercial gain. Since 2012, the space below the number has been occupied by UNICEF, and later by UNHCR since the summer of 2022. Far from generating revenue, these partnerships actually saw the club pay €400,000 per season to the UN agency. However, with the UNHCR contract expiring this summer, the club has decided to monetise this asset for the first time.

It has been reported recently that one of Ecuador's most promising talents, Ederson Castillo, is in Barcelona. The youngster is undergoing a trial at the club and will be here for a few days. In the backdrop, his agent Peter Graetzer is also in Barcelona ahead of a potential meeting between him and the club, Mundo Deportivo reports. The agent confirmed his presence in the city by posting a story on his Instagram account. He appeared to be near Barcelona's training facilities at Ciutat Esportiva.

Barcelona are already laying the groundwork for next season, and one high-profile attacking name continues to feature prominently in their internal discussions. According to a recent report from MARCA, Barcelona remain interested in Julian Alvarez, despite the striker not enjoying his most productive campaign with Atletico Madrid. It is known that Barcelona's sporting management is actively developing a roadmap for the attacking unit ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Gianluigi Longari (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Andres Cuenca, a left-footed centre-back and one of the most promising defensive prospects at FC Barcelona, has attracted interest from clubs in Serie A. Cuenca, 18, is part of the Barça Atletic setup currently, while he has already made his senior debut for the Blaugrana under Hansi Flick during the 2024/25 season.

FC Barcelona are already busy with their squad planning for the next season, with major focus on two major areas - the centre-back and striker positions. A left-footed central defender remains a top priority, while at the same time, the club are looking to solidify their options in the No. 9 department. Robert Lewandowski's future remains uncertain, which is why other top options like Julian Alvarez and Harry Kane are being considered.

Barcelona's 'Shark' is now the team's top scorer in the 2025-26 season and has 11 goals in La Liga, two in the Champions League and one each in the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. He's the only Barca player to have scored in all four competitions. For all the criticism he's received and the doubts that hang over him still, there's simply no denying that 15 goals from 26 outings is a very good return.

The 37-year-old centre-forward has accepted a reduced role this season, with Hansi Flick counting on Ferran Torres more and more, but has continued to contribute in a significant way, creating a quandary for the club. The Blaugrana see that his performances remain good, that he continues to score goals and has accepted that he is no longer an undisputed starter.

According to a report from Fichajes, Barcelona are closely following the progress of Neil El Aynaoui, a midfielder who is currently enjoying an impressive spell with AS Roma. El Aynaoui, 24, is viewed as a player capable of contributing immediately while still offering long-term value. That dual profile is precisely what makes him appealing to Barcelona, a club that continues to search for balance between short-term competitiveness and sustainable squad building.

Real Madrid's exit from the Copa del Rey has left a bitter taste among the club's supporters, but has understandably brought joy in Barcelona. A defeat of this nature is never easy to digest, especially for a team expected to dominate domestic competitions. However, while Madrid fans were left frustrated and disappointed, the result sparked a very different reaction elsewhere, one filled with irony, sarcasm, and a familiar sense of rivalry.