Between the pandemic and financial hardship ... Real and Barcelona face great challenges in the winter transfer market

The situation seems bleak for world and Spanish football giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in the winter transfer market, which starts on January 4 amid many doubts and questions that impose themselves, such as how to attract players without money?

How can they extend the contract of their stars and leaders Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi, whose fate has not yet been "decided"?

With their financial accounts severely damaged by the pandemic, in addition to the exorbitant sums spent on renewing the two stadiums over the past year, the two clubs, which are the main drivers of the transfer market, must make difficult choices.

Do Real Need One?

In a comparison between them, Real seems to be in a better position than its traditional rivals, as the French coach Zinedine Zidane's team did not make deals during the summer transfer market, and some of the loaned players returned to its ranks, most notably the Norwegian Martin Odegaard, while those who were not prominent names in the club have left.

The Belgian Eden Hazar is the last big deal at the club after arriving in the summer of 2019 from Chelsea for 115 million euros, but he has missed nearly fifty matches since his arrival due to repeated injuries.

Since the financial crisis that the club has suffered due to the global epidemic, its management has repeated several times that it will not contract with new players, as it announced a few days ago gains amounting to only 313 thousand euros for the 2019-2020 season, a number far from the staggering profits that the club recorded in years. The previous one, as it is often ranked # 1 on the list of the world's top income clubs, according to Deloitte.

With a list of 25 players, the return of the majority of injuries, and the improvement of the team's results gradually, especially after reaching the eighth round of the Champions League after a poor start and achieving five successive victories in the league, it seems that the Spanish champion is starting to find a little stability.

But there is no doubt that the field is open for strengthening some positions, such as the spearhead position occupied by French Karim Benzema, who has been brilliant since the start of the season and who does not have a reliable alternative.

But while the fans of the white team want to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid must in particular extend the contract of its main captain Sergio Ramos (34 years), which expires in June, without a significant increase in his salary.

On the other hand, the Spanish press indicates that the Spanish champion is interested in contracting with Austrian David Alaba, Bayern Munich defender, to strengthen the left front, while Isco, who does not appear in Zidane's plans, may leave in the White Castle.

Messi or no one?

As for the traditional rivals Barcelona, ​​in debt, there is an emergency: the renewal of his historic goalscorer Lionel Messi's contract, which expires on June 30, 2021, and who will be able to negotiate with any club starting January 1.

The best player in the world confirmed six times on Sunday in an interview broadcast by the Spanish channel "La Sixa" and conducted earlier this month, "I have not decided anything." "I do not know yet, the club is going through a bad period and it will be difficult to return to its previous levels, but I am excited."

However, the Catalan club officials are preparing to elect a new president on January 24 next, which may greatly affect the Argentine star's future with the club.

Despite the club's debt, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who has begun to improve the team's results a bit, may be active in the winter window.

According to the local press, the Catalan club is preparing to abandon the French world champion Samuel Umtiti in exchange for the return of the young center-back Eric Garcia, who grew up in La Masia academy, from Manchester City, and signed a contract with Brazilian Felipe from Atletico Madrid.

Reinforcement of the defense line is considered a priority for Koman after his defenders have suffered injuries during the previous period, and the masses want to sign an outspoken spearhead in place of the Dane Martin Braithwaite.

However, the economic problem stands in the way of all these hopes.

In 2019 Barcelona obtained a loan of 140 million euros for five years from an American investment fund, and the previous administration also borrowed 815 million euros over 30 years from Goldman Sachs to complete the costly project to renovate the "Camp Nou" stadium.

"It will be difficult to sign the players because we need the money and it is not there," Messi said on Sunday.

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