Laporta slams shut Barça's transfer window: 'Market is closed'
Barcelona president confirms no ins or outs before deadline day, backs Deco's academy focus, and defends the club's unique ownership model.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has put the kibosh on any last-minute transfer drama at the Camp Nou, declaring the club’s January business finished despite the window remaining open until Monday night.
Market closed for business
In a wide-ranging interview with La Vanguardia, Laporta made it crystal clear that Barça fans shouldn’t expect any late surprises before the deadline:
“We don’t want to generate false expectations,” Laporta stated plainly. “We’ve accomplished what we wanted. The market is closed for us.”
The president specifically mentioned João Cancelo as the versatile defensive addition they needed, suggesting the Portuguese fullback’s arrival satisfied their January shopping list.
Academy focus remains priority
Laporta also shed light on sporting director Deco’s current priorities, which appear focused on strengthening the club’s youth development pipeline rather than first-team recruitment:
- Working closely with La Masia and Barça Atlètic
- Setting strong objectives for the remainder of the season
- Maintaining the club’s commitment to academy talent
This youth-first approach was further emphasized when Laporta confirmed that promising youngsters Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó won’t be leaving the club this window, describing them as “players we’re counting on” who represent “the formula we believe works.”
Champions League ambitions
The president expressed satisfaction with Barcelona securing fifth place in their Champions League group, putting them among the top eight teams - which he described as “the objective.” He noted that manager Hansi Flick is “especially happy” as it allows him to plan the remainder of the season with greater clarity.
Pride in unique ownership model
Perhaps most revealing was Laporta’s defense of Barcelona’s member-owned structure, pointing out that among the top eight clubs in Europe, only Barça operates as a member-owned sporting club rather than having a single owner.
“There are people who claim this model cannot work. Well, it can work,” Laporta asserted, clearly proud of Barcelona’s distinctive identity amid football’s changing ownership landscape.
When asked about rivals Real Madrid, Laporta was characteristically dismissive: “Well, they’ll sort themselves out. I prefer to focus on Barça.”