Barcelona must spend Neymar money if they're to catch Real Madrid

Posted Tuesday, August 15, 2017 by Marca.com

One of the unfortunate side effects of the transfer window remaining open after the season has started is that teams can't properly prepare until after the deadline has passed, however, in Barcelona's case, it is a godsend as Los Cules must spend the Neymar money if they are to catch Real Madrid.

Sunday's Supercopa de Espana tie at the Camp Nou did two things, it highlighted the deficiencies within Barcelona's squad and it also made clear the gulf in class between the two teams.

Of course, it was known that Zinedine Zidane's side are at the absolute top of their game right now and are arguably the best team in the world, but what was alarming was how far away the Blaugrana looked - in their own stadium.

Neymar's departure has derailed the club's entire pre-season, even if those in charge had known about it for longer than admitted, and now the funds recouped must be reinvested to give the team proper reinforcements in key areas.

What is worrying is that whilst incoming transfers are taking a while to get over the line and the current playing staff are acutely aware of the need for signings.

Sergio Busquets was one to make that clear in his post-match interview on Sunday.

"Now is the time for new signings"

"We need new signings, not because of the result but because we have to refresh the squad, now is the time no matter what," he explained.

Ernesto Valverde's first competitive team selection as coach illustrated clearly the need for action in the transfer market.

Gerard Deulofeu took Neymar's position and despite his hard work he was ultimately ineffective before being substituted, and the midfield continues to be a problematic position.

Isco, Casemiro and Toni Kroos are in such good form that the inclusion of Mateo Kovacic in the starting line-up didn't even cause the visitors to lose their step, not even slightly.

Midfield struggles

On the opposite side of the pitch the Blaugrana were struggling with Busquets continually overworked sitting just behind an ageing Andres Iniesta and a player struggling for confidence in Ivan Rakitic.

It was made clear before the beginning of the window that midfield was an area of severe need and following a futile pursuit of Marco Verratti it seems unlikely that the arrival of Paulinho will do much to put the team closer to their fiercest rivals.

With that said, there will be activity in the coming days as Ousmane Dembele, the club's primary target to replace Neymar, will also arrive.

Borussia Dortmund have held firm to this point but as the Frenchman's relationship with the German club deteriorates it seems as though a 130 million euro operation could be nearing a resolution.

Coutinho in?

Philippe Coutinho is another player the club wish to sign and whilst the former Internazionale midfielder is doing his best to force a move, Liverpool are determined not to appear weak in a transfer window which they themselves have found difficult.

Los Cules will continue to work until the deadline but what is interesting is the change of course from the two giants of Spanish football.

Barcelona's La Masia academy had long been a perfect production line for the first-team whilst Real Madrid sought to spend huge amounts of money to catch up.

Now it is Real Madrid who are clearly superior with the Catalan giants needing to spend in order to avoid enduring a potentially disastrous campaign.