The need of global superstars for clubs like FC Barcelona in markets of times like those of the modern day is an absolute necessity. Clubs exist beyond just the green whiffs of grass or the confinements of their stadiums, and it is through these superstars that these entities cement their global status and influence.
Once lead by the undeniable face of both FC Barcelona and the Argentine National team, Lionel Messi, Barcelona has since slowly but surely begun to lose that global star power within its squad that once made it such a captivating brand.
To curb this, Barcelona were seriously considering signing former Paris Saint-Germain and current Al-Hilal star Neymar Jr and continue to assess the possibility of getting to bring in 23-year-old Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix to take advantage of his unfortunate situation at his current club.
As highlighted by SPORT, both these players represented a market opportunity that the Catalan club wished to take advantage of so that the overall benefit of FC Barcelona could be achieved as a consequence and both of them hold a unique value had they or should they arrive.
In the case of Neymar Jr, SPORT highlights the global influence he continues to be. Heralded within the same league as the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of a global reach and following, Neymar’s arrival would have guaranteed both a sporting world beater and a marketable one as well for Barcelona.
Given that the 2023/2024 season is one where the Catalan giants would not even be playing at their home, Camp Nou, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, in particular, was rumored to be heavily attracted to the prospect of bringing in a name like Neymar Jr to elevate Barca’s marketable profile and hence reap the economic benefits as well at no cost given that a three-way deal with a Saudi Arabian club was being discussed.
On the other hand, Joao Felix represents a player of youth and potential, but one of the major opportunities as well. The most expensive record signing in the history of Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona are hoping to take over from his worsening relation with his current club coach Diego Simeone and take him away on favorable terms for the Catalans.
Already having publicly claimed that he would love to move to FC Barcelona, the Catalan giants consider Joao Felix a great market opportunity to exploit despite being the least of their remaining transfer priorities.
His arrival would have also allowed FC Barcelona to hit back at the Madrid-based outfit for the Antoine Griezmann debacle that saw Atletico Madrid pull off both a significant sale of the player to Barcelona and then take him back again at hardly a substantial cost.
While the option of Neymar Jr is now completely off the table, the option and feasibility to bring in Joao Felix in terms that could be very suitable for FC Barcelona still remains a possibility the Catalans would wish to explore near the end of the window.
