Original post by quaGotta admit that I was wrong about Zubizarreta, turns out in recent weeks that he isn't as clueless as first thought and is actually one of the more rationally thinking people at the helm of FCB. In retrospect, he didn't have much power under Rosell at all, so perhaps some of the criticism he got was unfair. This window is the first in which he has more freedom, and so far, he's done the right things: Choosing ter Stegen over Courtois, a highly unpopular decision for which he got slated in Barcelona and the Catalan press, but ultimately the right choice imo; blocking the Luiz deal and launching a Benatia bid, promoting Jordi Masip.
Only thing I don't get is extending Eusebio's contract as the B coach, he's hardly capable of developing players.
Masip promoted has already been announced. Doubt anybody else will follow, perhaps Suárez, but only to go on loan.
To be fair, none of those transfers (Alexis, Pedro, Cesc, Mascherano etc) have been reported by any reliable source. Mundo Deportivo and Sport are as reliable as caughtoffside at the moment, plus influenced by politics. The board said 10 players could leave. That includes Valdés, Puyol and Pinto, so the 7 will probably be Alves (PSG), Roberto (loan?), Tello, Dos Santos, Oier, Song, Cuenca. Perhaps one more.
And yes, from a financial viewpoint nobody needs to be sold. €120m transfer kitty excluding sales, 10 (I think) have been used for ter Stegen. Bid for Benatia has reportedly been 35m, alternatively Laporte would cost the same.
I think the transfer policy will change now (at least so far it looks like it) considering it's Bartomeu's last chance to stay in charge after a trophyless season and now that even Messi put pressure on him. Seems like Zubi and the new coach will get more power, at least you hear news about Enrique blocking this and that transfer every day.