Barça's squad is closed for business until at least July
The signings of Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan have left Barcelona's squad completely closed for business, until we discover the name of the new club president on July 18th. Blaugrana coach Luis Enrique is satisfied with both players, as well as blocking the exits of Douglas, Adriano, Bartra and Sergi Roberto. Once the deal for Arda Turan is announced officially, there will not be another signing until the transfer window shuts on August 31st.
Luis Enrique only asked to reinforce two areas, which the club have done with deals for Aleix Vidal and Turan. The first is to cover for Dani Alves, despite the Brazilian extending his contract for two more years. The Turkey international has the ability to play centrally and can occupy a space left vacant by Xavi Hernandez.
The Blaugrana will not add any more players to their side this summer. Plus, due to the fact they can't register players due to a FIFA embargo, Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan will not be able to make their club debuts until the winter transfer window opens.
Enrique asked the club to not open the door to the possibility of Brazilian duo Douglas and Adriano leaving, as he relies on them to be available come what may, due to the squad having the potential to become a bit thin ahead of the January transfer window.
He also convinced youth product Sergi Roberto to remain as back-up for Sergi Busquets in central midfield, while Marc Bartra confirmed to the club that he would not utilise his release clause and would continue at Camp Nou.
There shouldn't be any surprises between now and the start of the season, although that could change if Pedro Rodriguez opts for a change of scenery in the coming weeks. If this happens, Luis Enrique would like to make a third signing to cover his departure, due to the need for rotation from the three starting forwards.
Therefore, the squad is not going to change until the start of pre-season. Due to how they have dealed with contracts, Barça have guaranteed continuity in the squad until 2018. The only player whose contract will end on the 30th June 2016 is Rafinha. The rest of the squad have a minimum of two years left.
Masip, Dani Alves, Bartra and Adriano are the following players to end their contract (2017), while the majority of the squad are tied down until 2018 (Claudio Bravo, Mascherano, Mathieu, Iniesta, Messi, Neymar) or 2019 (Ter Stegen, Douglas, Pique, Vermaelen, Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Rakitic, Pedro, Luis Suarez). Only two players, Aleix Vidal and Jordi Alba, will have a deal that will stretch an additional two seasons.
