FC Barcelona faces the final stretch of the year with a dilemma that conditions its sporting planning. The absence of Ronald Araujo, who has requested an indefinite break to regain his best competitive form, leaves an open scenario that could activate the club in the winter transfer market.
From the sporting management, a clear message is being conveyed: if the Uruguayan center-back returns without complications and has the necessary time to reintegrate into Hansi Flick's plans, Barça will not move in the transfer market. But if the process is prolonged, the option of incorporating a reinforcement is being considered for a position that, right now, is bearing an extraordinary workload of minutes.
Barça's immediate future hinges on Ronald Araujo's evolution
The technical staff has managed to sustain defensive performance thanks to the great form of Eric García, Pau Cubarsí and the unexpected emergence of Gerard Martín, who Flick has converted into a repurposed full-back offering high-level solutions. However, both players are accumulating a workload that is becoming concerning: the player from Martorell has the most minutes in the squad (1,510), while the defender from Estanyol already has 1,293, placing him as the third most used.
To this reality is added the situation of Andreas Christensen, who has not managed to establish himself as a starting alternative. Although the Dane provides reliability in specific phases, his secondary role has forced Flick to keep the defensive block practically unchanged, which increases the physical risk for the line.
Laporta opens the door, but asks for prudence
In a recent event organized by La Vanguardia, Joan Laporta openly acknowledged that the club is "prepared" to go to the market if the situation demands it. The president, however, emphasized the need to "thoroughly study" any operation before making a decision.
The institution does not want to rush or repeat investments that do not fit the Barça's sporting or financial model. The reading from the offices is clear: the move will only be activated if Araujo's absence is prolonged more than expected and Flick considers a reinforcement essential to maintain the competitive level in all competitions.
Deco, skeptical about the January window
If **Laporta** shows prudence, **Deco** directly leans towards caution. The sporting director stated this week that the winter market "is very difficult to work well" and recalled recent cases where urgency did not benefit the club.
The implicit reference is the accelerated incorporation of Vitor Roque two seasons ago, a move that Barça made conditioned by immediate needs and which did not end up offering the expected return.
Therefore, from the offices, it is insisted that any reinforcement must be truly differential and not a compromise signing. The priority is not to distort the sporting plan or take unnecessary economic risks.
The transfer market revolves around Ronald Araujo
The future of the Blaugrana winter market has a name: Ronald Araujo. His recovery will dictate the club's strategy. If the second captain returns on time and feels ready to resume competition with guarantees, Barça will keep the current squad. But if he needs more time to fully recover, the sporting management will activate the radar in search of a temporary or structural solution for the defense
The uncertainty surrounding the Uruguayan's return forces the club to work with parallel scenarios, although the absolute priority remains to support his personal process and ensure he only returns when fully prepared. In any case, Barça faces a key month in which it will have to balance results, planning, and sensitivity with one of its sporting leaders.