5 transfers by FC Barcelona that no one expected
The transfer window is an important element in modern-day football, affording clubs the opportunity to strengthen their squads from time to time as well as raising revenue by doing pretty smart businesses in the market.
When we take a look at the European clubs who have been very active in the transfer market during the past few years, we are definitely going to make mention of Catalan giants, FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana have been heavily involved in transfer related activities for a very long time, selling some of their players, buying new ones as well as getting a few on loan.
The Catalans have their unique policies that guide their transfer activities, signing players they believe would fit into their system while keeping close attention to a number of factors including age, experience and disciplinary records as well as ensuring fair-play in their dealings with other clubs in the transfer market.
But despite that, Barcelona have completed some transfer deals during the past few years that no one expected, of which some raised controversy, criticism, and arguments.
Below, we highlight 5 of them.
#5. Jeison Murillo
With injury crisis surrounding the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti this season, Barcelona has been short of options at the heart of the defence, with only Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet the only consistent center-backs in the Blaugrana squad.
Knowing quite well that they needed to find a solution to their problems at the heart of defence, the Catalans decided to sign another center-back to provide support in that department and that signing was an unexpected one too many.
A lot of Barcelona fans were shocked when the club announced in December that they had signed Colombian defender Jeison Murillo from Valencia in an initial loan deal with the option to make the deal permanent for a reported €25million at the end of the season.
Before the transfer, there were rumors that Barcelona would sign proven defenders including the likes of Mathijs De Ligt and Andreas Christensen, but their decision to sign a player who has only featured for Valencia in only one LaLiga game all season came as a huge surprise.
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