Barça Have Two New Signings. Both Were Already at the Club

Barcelona finally have two reinforcements they can actually afford. Raphinha and Ronald Araújo are returning after their fitness problems and could feature in the preseason tournament in Udine. No transfer fee, payment plan or registration problem required. A genuine bargain.

According to Sergi de Juan of AS, both players took part in the behind-closed-doors friendly that concluded Barcelona’s training camp in England. The signs were positive, meaning they could now play against Udinese and Nottingham Forest. The tournament consists of two 45-minute matches — more than enough time for Barça to announce a complete return to form.

Araújo did not play a single minute at the World Cup because of his physical problems. Raphinha is also working his way back, while Jesse Bisiwu could make his unofficial Barcelona debut in Udine. Interestingly, Barça last competed in a similar summer tournament back in 2001.

If Raphinha and Araújo survive their 45 minutes, the club will be able to present their return as a major success of the transfer window. At Barcelona, the cheapest way to strengthen the squad remains recovering players who are already on the payroll.