Barca still chase league dream with top signing

Barcelona may want to make up for the biggest collapse in Europe by signing the most expensive player in the world, but a team that was by far the best in Spain is already significantly better.

After finishing 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid last season, Barca signed Atletico’s most dangerous player in Antoine Griezmann while Frenkie de Jong helped Ajax destroy Real Madrid in the Champions League and now he is in Catalunya too.

The question of whether Neymar follows will consume the rest of the transfer window, but an attacking roster of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho hardly points to a need for a ß222m (R3.8bn) striker.

“I’m happy with the players I have,” coach Ernesto Valverde said on Friday.

“Last year, we almost had a perfect season.”

Even Griezmann, at ß120m (R2.03bn) , almost felt like an extravagance rather than a need to improve on 90 goals in 38 league games last term.

But the downward trajectory of Brazil’s Coutinho, whose status has shrivelled further following the club’s attempts to sell him this summer, means Griezmann already fits better now than he did in July.

So does an injury to Messi, who is likely to miss Friday’s curtain-raiser away to Athletic Bilbao with a minor tear in his calf, giving Griezmann the chance to bed in with Suarez and Dembele, and without the pressure of performing with his captain.

Griezmann will add depth but also goals and assists, presumably more than at Atletico.

De Jong may need more time to adjust, even if many view the 22-year-old as a ready-made alternative to Sergio Busquets at the base of the Barca midfield.

Too often Busquets was exposed last season thanks to a lack of speed and protection.

De Jong, with Ivan Rakitic, Arthur Melo or the emerging Carles Alena, should bring more control and creativity.

Meanwhile, Junior Firpo, bought from Real Betis, will jostle with Jordi Alba at leftback while Neto coming in from Valencia relieves Jasper Cillessen from the role of the frustrated backup goalkeeper.

Otherwise the key figures remain, not least Valverde, whose position as coach looked under threat when the collapse to Liverpool in the Champions League was followed by a shock defeat to Valencia in the Copa del Rey final.

Messi backed Valverde, but disappointment still left a desire for change.

The Griezmann deal was done, vice-president Jordi Mestre resigned and Patrick Kluivert replaced Pep Segura, the sporting manager blamed by many for shifting emphasis away from the club’s academy.

Anfield perhaps lingers too over the move for Neymar, the Brazilian that Barcelona no longer need, but might accept if it gives them a greater chance of finally winning in Europe.

Eight league titles in 11 years and four Copa del Reys in five has done little to eradicate the pain of repeated failures in the Champions League.

When Messi pledged to the fans this time in 2018 to bring “that beautiful cup” back to Camp Nou, it hung over the club all season as a statement of intent but also an indicator of priorities. –