Barcelona eyes promising talent, but transfer stalled by club’s financial fair play constraints

Barcelona’s nonstop transfer activity continues to surprise. The Catalan club is constantly scouting the market and keeping a close eye on any opportunities that might arise, aiming to stay one step ahead of other top clubs when it comes to making key signings.

However, the development that unfolded today in Barcelona has caught many off guard. According to Sport, Barça sporting director Deco held a midday meeting with representatives of Xavi Simons.

Italian super-agent Ali Barat, though not the player’s official representative, plays a significant role in the Dutch midfielder’s decision-making process. He met with Faustino Simons, Xavi’s brother, for about 45 minutes at a hotel in the city.

While Barat doesn’t formally represent Simons, he has been closely involved as the player actively looks to leave RB Leipzig. Simons is currently in talks with several top European clubs. The midfielder has long expressed his dream of returning to FC Barcelona someday, though he’s fully aware that such a move is complicated right now.

Barat has been touring across Europe in recent days, meeting with sporting directors from major clubs to stay updated on the transfer market and explore potential deals for his clients. Given Barcelona’s current financial situation, however, a move for Simons appears extremely difficult.

His transfer fee is considered out of reach—especially considering coach Hansi Flick’s recent comments about the squad being overloaded with midfielders.

In short, this was an exploratory meeting to better understand Simons’ situation—a first step to ensure Barça remains informed and competitive in a fast-moving market.