Valverde on January window: Barca boss hints at transfer business

Valverde on January window: The Barcelona boss has dropped a hint at transfer business in January to replace an injured star.

Barcelona are currently 2nd in the La Liga. They played a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano last weekend, as Ousmane Dembele scored a late equalizer to salvage a point for the side.

Barca is a point behind Sevilla in the league, who have been the high-fliers in the Spanish top flight so far. Both the Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid have had shaky starts to their campaign.

While Real Madrid are currently 6th in the league, Barcelona, who faced only one defeat in the entire league season last year, have already dropped points in six La Liga games this season.

Barcelona have also suffered with injury setbacks, as after Samuel Umtiti, Rafinha Alcantara was added to the list of long absentees after playing through the injury against Atletico Madrid last week. Valverde, justifiably, has hinted at January business to replace the Barca star.

Valverde on January window:

The Barcelona boss has stated that the injury to Rafinha came as an unexpected blow to the side. He also revealed that the player’s absence might alter the transfer policy for the club in January.

“It is a situation the club will be analysing,” Valverde said on being asked about a January move for Rafinha’s replacement.

“We were taken by surprise with the news (of the length of injury) because he was able to finish the game against Atletico and we did not believe that would lead to such an absence,” the Barca boss added.

Valverde admitted that Barcelona might be forced to enter the transfer market, as a result of the injury.

“We will need to look at the market and to think about what is best for this club and what would be best in order to meet our aims.”

What next?

Barcelona are also in headlines for the situation around Ousmane Dembele. The player has been under controversy for his ill-discipline, and various media outlets have reported that the Frenchman wants a move out.

However, a recent report from Mundo Deportivo has claimed that the reports are false and Barcelona have no intention of parting ways with the 21-year old forward.