FC Barcelona Eyes Major Signings as Hansi Flick Plots Summer Reinforcements
FC Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly enthusiastic about the club’s plans to bring in two high-profile players this summer—Luis Díaz from Liverpool and Thomas Partey from Arsenal.
These potential transfers come at a time when Barcelona is reassessing its squad strategy following a successful domestic season and with ambitions to make a deeper impact in European competition.
Star striker Robert Lewandowski recently reflected on the 2024–25 season, expressing satisfaction despite missing out on the Champions League final. The Polish forward praised the team’s domestic achievements, including titles in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Lewandowski described the campaign as “nearly perfect,” giving credit to Flick’s leadership and tactical balance. At 35, he emphasized that he remains physically and mentally ready to compete at the highest level, saying he regained form after an injury and finished the season strong. However, he admitted uncertainty about his long-term future, suggesting that new opportunities—possibly outside Europe, such as in Saudi Arabia or the U.S.—could influence his plans.
Lewandowski was full of praise for Flick, highlighting the German coach’s ability to unify the squad and communicate effectively. He viewed the Champions League semi-final loss to Inter Milan as a valuable lesson, particularly for the younger players, and reaffirmed his goal of winning the competition. When asked about his potential successor at Barcelona, he deferred to the club’s scouting department, noting the difficulty of finding a striker who fits both the team’s system and budget. He mentioned Erling Haaland and Victor Guirres as examples but stressed that talent alone isn’t enough—compatibility is key.
Reflecting on the season, Lewandowski cited the 4-0 away victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu as the standout El Clásico moment.
Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has acknowledged interest in Espanyol’s promising young goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who has also been linked with Barcelona. Garcia has a €25 million release clause and is regarded as a future star. While Guardiola was non-committal about City’s transfer plans, he did praise Garcia’s potential during a charity event. He also commended Barcelona’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal, comparing his skill to Lionel Messi’s but emphasizing that the 17-year-old must carve out his own legacy. On Yamal’s Ballon d’Or chances, Guardiola said the youngster has shown enough quality this season to be considered a candidate.
Guardiola also took a moment to recognize Real Madrid’s new head coach, Xabi Alonso, lauding his undefeated run at Bayer Leverkusen and understanding of Madrid’s demands.
Barcelona has reportedly made Liverpool’s Colombian winger Luis Díaz a key summer target. Though Díaz is happy at Anfield and under contract until 2027, speculation has mounted—especially after a cryptic social media post by his partner that many interpreted as a farewell. Mundo Deportivo suggests Barcelona is monitoring the situation carefully, aware of the financial hurdles but waiting for the right opportunity to negotiate.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is gearing up for a major summer overhaul under new leadership. The Reds are eyeing Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz for a potential €150 million—a move that could become their record signing—alongside a €40 million deal for Jeremy Frimpong. To fund these acquisitions, Liverpool may offload several players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold (reportedly in talks with Real Madrid), goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, midfielder Harvey Elliott, and defender Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract is nearing expiry. Amid these changes, Díaz’s role in the squad has become less certain.
Former Barcelona player Ousmane Dembélé, who recently won the Champions League with PSG, also spoke warmly of his former club. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he shared that joining Barcelona at age 20 was a dream come true, and he continues to hold the club in high regard despite a mixed tenure marred by injuries. Dembélé transferred to PSG in 2023 for €50 million after tallying 40 goals and 42 assists in 185 matches with Barça.
In addition to Díaz, Barcelona has revived its interest in Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey. With Partey’s contract nearing its end and Arsenal pursuing Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi for €60 million, the Ghanaian’s future remains uncertain. Signed in 2020 from Atlético Madrid for €50 million, Partey has reportedly been in informal contact with Barcelona. Although Mikel Arteta has expressed a desire to retain him, no contract extension appears imminent.
The potential signings of Díaz and Partey would significantly enhance Barcelona’s depth and quality. Díaz offers explosive pace and creativity suited to Flick’s attacking style, while Partey brings vital experience and stability to the midfield. These moves align with Barcelona’s broader vision of combining seasoned players with emerging talents while maintaining fiscal discipline.
As preparations begin for the new season, Barcelona remains focused on maximizing contributions from core players like Lewandowski, Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha, while integrating fresh signings to remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.
