Flick wanted Bayern Munich midfielder for Barcelona in January; ruled out due to FFP issues | OneFootball

As has been reported over the past few weeks, Barcelona’s situation is clear: no market movements are expected in the upcoming winter transfer window, with all attention focused on registering Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.

The Blaugrana have long struggled with Financial Fair Play limitations, and this will make it impossible for the sporting management to reinforce the squad with any potential signings.

Hansi Flick sought a reinforcement, but move a no-go

In an interesting revelation, SPORT reports that Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick had a clear request in mind to reinforce the squad in January if the FFP issues were not blocking things.

Several weeks ago, before the team’s poor run of results worsened, the coach had already identified a possible addition that could strengthen the squad. He was keen on securing the loan of a defensive midfielder with physical strength and good coverage.

Both the coaching staff and the club’s management believed that adding a player to bolster muscle and defensive work would be beneficial, particularly for the final half hour of matches.

It is important to note that Flick is delighted with Marc Casado’s performances in the defensive midfield role. However, injuries and the lack of match fitness in some players have prevented the young midfielder from being able to rest on occasion.

Flick has occasionally used Eric Garcia as a defensive midfielder, but he has done so knowing that the Spaniard does not fit the profile of a pure destructive midfielder.

Goretzka, an option Flick favoured

No reunion between Goretzka and Flick. (Photo by Lukas Barth-Tuttas Pool/Getty Images)

Beyond attempting to add energy and physicality, Flick also saw the value of signing a defensive midfielder with experience, as such a player could help ‘slow down’ the tempo of matches and control things better in the final stages in tight games.

One of the names that Flick was interested in, though not the only one, was Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka.

Until early November, the Bayern Munich midfielder had barely featured for his club, making a loan move a possibility.

However, the injury to Joao Palhinha increased Goretzka’s prominence at Bayern, and any potential move was made impossible by the FFP situation as even after Barcelona’s agreement with Nike, they did not return to the 1:1 rule.

As a result, any thoughts of signing a player in January were dashed.