Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona cannot sign players in January'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that the club will not be able to sign any new players during the January transfer window due to La Liga's FFP rules.

Despite their financial problems, the Catalan outfit were active during the summer market, bringing in Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso.

Barcelona are being linked with more additions ahead of the January transfer window, with a new centre-back thought to be a priority following Gerard Pique's decision to retire.

Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Martinez has been strongly linked with a switch to Camp Nou, while there have also been claims that a new midfielder could arrive, with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi linked with moves.

However, Laporta has claimed that, as it stands, his side will be unable to make any further additions at the start of 2023 due to the league's rules on FFP.

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"According to La Liga's FFP, we cannot sign players in January. We are trying our best to persuade the league to be more flexible," Laporta told EFE.

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans and Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan are also believed to be midfield options for Barcelona, who are expected to lose Sergio Busquets on a free transfer next summer.

Laporta has also provided an update on the future of Ousmane Dembele, who only has a contract with the Catalan outfit until the summer of 2024.

The 25-year-old actually left Barcelona at the end of June following the expiration of his deal, but he then returned to the club in July, penning a two-year contract until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The club's president has suggested that the Catalan outfit will soon hold talks over a renewal for the Frenchman, who is "happy and motivated" at the club.

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"Ousmane is happy and motivated. There will be time to talk about renewals," said Laporta.

Dembele has been a key player for Xavi's side during the 2022-23 campaign, making 20 appearances in all competitions, contributing five goals and seven assists in the process.

In La Liga, the forward has managed four goals and five assists in 14 appearances, while he scored once and provided two assists in six outings in the group stage of the Champions League.

Dembele has now represented the Catalan outfit on 170 occasions in all competitions, contributing 37 goals and 41 assists in the process.

The former Rennes youngster is currently with the France squad preparing for the World Cup, with the Blues opening their tournament against Australia on November 22.