Barcelona lock in youth signings as Spain lean on club core
Barcelona set to sign LDU Quito’s 18-year-old Josue Caicedo on loan with €2.5m option. Seen as a long-term left-back for Barça Atlètic, valued for elite pace and left foot, with adaptation time expected.
Barcelona monitor Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero as the 28-year-old targets La Liga and Tottenham plan a sale. Atlético Madrid are also interested, with Barça eyeing defensive reinforcements for 2026/27.
Work on Camp Nou’s third tier is complete, with opening targeted for autumn 2026 and an annual €27m boost. Tribuna could open by Dec 2026-Jan 2027. Roof works may force a six-month return to Montjuic in 2027.
Arsenal face Al Hilal competition for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado. Barça are open to a sale, with the player considering options and Saudi wages potentially outmatching Arsenal’s structure.
Barcelona, urged by Hansi Flick, renew talks to keep Joao Cancelo after Portugal’s World Cup exit. High Al Hilal salary and tax issues complicate a deal, but Barça remain optimistic of securing his return.
Spain start four Barcelona players vs Portugal in the World Cup last 16: Lamine Yamal, Pedri in pivot, Dani Olmo at 10 and Pau Cubarsi in defence. Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia, Ferran Torres and Gavi on bench.
Pedri is criticised for a poor Spain display against Portugal, described as off the pace, sloppy in possession and wayward with passing, with fans calling for him to be substituted.
Barcelona renew 16-year-old defender Roc Martinez, a centre-back who can play midfield. The Spain U16 international moves up to Juvenil B next season, extending his La Masia stay that began in 2017.
Mikel Merino’s late winner beats Portugal 1-0. Lamine Yamal assisted Dani Olmo earlier in the tournament but remains muted so far, with Spain’s clean-sheet run shielding scrutiny as he awaits a breakout.
Barcelona sign 18-year-old Tenerife winger Joni Hernández on a deal to 2030. He will join Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atlètic from the 2026/27 pre-season, profiling as a right-footed left-sided attacker.
Barcelona, with Deco evaluating options, are considering a move for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra. His clause is €40m in July, €60m from August, though centre-back and striker remain higher priorities.
Raphinha nears the final phase of rehab after a hamstring-hit season, missing 26 games. Barça set a separate return date so he rests before pre-season under Hansi Flick, aiming to start the campaign fit.
Ajax agree a loan for Marc-Andre ter Stegen to be No 1, but Dutch pundits slam his injury record. Barcelona still pay most wages, with Ajax’s share tied to appearances. Option to buy depends on fitness.
Barça’s England camp runs 27 Jul-3 Aug, with a 31 Jul friendly v Birmingham. Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha could feature after World Cup exits, pending fitness and Flick’s plans.
Wojciech Szczesny says chronic hand pain since 2008 means he ‘can’t catch the ball without feeling pain’, detailing training struggles and a difficult childhood, shaping how he parents his own son.
