Barcelona’s defeat to Leganés at Montjuïc caused an earthquake within the club, with president Joan Laporta not hiding his anger at the team’s disappointing performance. After seeing the team fall again to inferior opposition, and witnessing a worrying lack of effective response during the match, Laporta decided to intervene directly. Those close to him confirm that he is determined to take serious steps in the upcoming winter transfer market to strengthen a team that is in desperate need of tangible improvements.
In the hours following the match, Laporta held talks with Deco and the technical staff, demanding quick solutions to the issues the team is facing. For the president, patience has run out, and he believes that the best way to turn things around is to make significant changes in January by securing two key signings.
The first of these signings will focus on strengthening the left-back position. Barcelona needs a player capable of providing real competition for Alejandro Balde, who, despite his standout performances this season, lacks a reliable alternative.
The club’s sporting directors are eager to sign Álvaro Carreras, the Spanish full-back from Benfica, who is having an excellent season in Portugal. Barcelona see Carreras as a strong addition to their defense, but signing him will not be easy, especially given Manchester United’s interest in the player.
The second name on Laporta’s agenda is more ambitious: Rafael Leao, the Portuguese forward who currently plays for Milan. Laporta sees Leao as one of his top targets for the upcoming transfer window, believing that his arrival could have a significant impact on Barcelona’s attacking performance.
Leao is known for his strength, balance, and goal-scoring ability, qualities the team is currently lacking. However, securing his signature will be difficult, as his market value is high, and the financial constraints Barcelona faces mean that any deal will require careful financial planning.
Despite the challenges, Laporta is prepared to invest significant effort into securing Leao’s signing. He is fully aware that the player’s arrival will send a strong message about the club’s ambition to both the team and the fans. The president also knows that he cannot afford another season of setbacks and is determined to provide coach Hansi Flick with the necessary tools to get the team back on track.