Barcelona have kicked off the summer transfer window with a big blow, formalizing the transfer of Anthony Gordon, who signed a five-year contract.
According to reports, the operation is worth 70–80 million euros, plus around 10 million euros in bonuses, making it the Catalans’ first significant financial investment this summer – and perhaps not the last.
The experience of recent years shows that Joan Laporta, since his return in 2021, has often made the right decisions when it comes to spending money in the transfer window.
Since 2021, Barcelona has signed five players for over 45 million euros each and all have had key roles in the sporting project: Robert Lewandowski, Jules Koundé, Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
This list could also include goalkeeper Joan García, who also represented a significant investment, albeit at a lower cost.
Ferran Torres and Lewandowski, two shots that paid off
Laporta’s first major investment in his second term was Ferran Torres, transferred on December 28, 2021 for around 55 million euros. The Valencian striker has made over 200 appearances for the Blaugrana and scored over 60 goals, becoming an important part of the team.
In the summer of 2022, Robert Lewandowski arrived from Bayern Munich for 45 million euros. His impact was immediate, in the first few seasons he was the main figure of the attack, while he ended his period at Barcelona with 120 goals, a figure that places him among the most successful names in the club’s modern history.
Koundé and Raphinha, pillars of the sports project
That same summer, Barcelona made two more transfers that became pillars of the team: Jules Koundé and Raphinha.
The French defender arrived for around 50 million euros and quickly became irreplaceable, standing out for his consistency and reliability, while at one point he even recorded 104 consecutive matches with Barcelona and France.
Meanwhile, Raphinha was transferred for 58 million euros and, after a doubtful start, became one of the team’s leaders, thanks to his intensity, work without the ball, competitive mentality and ability to create an advantage in the attacking phase.
Olmo, Joan García and now Gordon
In the summer of 2023, Barcelona did not make any major transfers, mainly due to financial constraints, but a year later Dani Olmo arrived, one of the club’s most desired targets.
For him, Barcelona paid 55 million euros plus 7 million euros in bonuses, bringing the Spanish midfielder after strong performances on the international stage.
Also mentioned in this line is goalkeeper Joan García, for whom Barcelona paid 26.3 million euros (release clause) plus other add-ons, and who was considered one of the discoveries of the season.
Now, with the arrival of Anthony Gordon, Barcelona aims to continue Laporta’s series of investments that, so far, have resulted not only in large numbers, but also in success on the field.
