The latest weapon in Barça’s fight for secrecy is a set of keypad locks installed at the entrances to the dressing rooms at the Ciutat Esportiva. Access controls are also being tightened across the training complex. That may be overdue: last year, a “fake physiotherapist” reportedly managed to enter the premises after bypassing security. Barcelona spent years building a club open to everyone. Only now have they realised that perhaps this should not include the first-team facilities.

The club are particularly frustrated by leaked line-ups and confidential medical details. One notable case reportedly involved the news that Wojciech Szczęsny, rather than Marc-André ter Stegen, was set to start in the Copa del Rey. In recent years Barça have restructured their communications department, reassigned staff and watched several long-serving employees leave. Suspicion has now spread to the medical team, physiotherapists and fitness coaches. The list of suspects is narrowing nicely — it currently includes roughly everyone inside the club.

Deco has even proposed building a hotel at the training ground to give the players greater privacy. They could sleep, eat, train and party without ever leaving the complex. Barcelona still do not know who is leaking the information, but they are moving steadily towards a future in which the mole gets a room of his own.

According to Mundo Deportivo, citing Esport3, the instruction brings back memories of Marc Pubill’s handball. The Atlético defender stopped the ball with his hand after receiving it from the goalkeeper, but István Kovács and the VAR decided that common sense was apparently more important than the actual rule. Hansi Flick demanded a penalty and a second yellow card. The score was 1–0 at the time, before Barcelona eventually lost 2–0.

UEFA has not officially admitted that the officials made a mistake. It has simply issued guidance that happens to describe the incident almost frame by frame. Barça have therefore been proven right at the only moment when they can no longer receive the penalty, a red card or a replay.

The result stays in the history books, Atlético keep the victory and Barcelona receive another reminder that the truth often arrives after they lose. Sometimes it just needs a few months and a fresh UEFA directive.

The Saudi club reportedly want around €10 million for a player who has only one year left on his contract. Talks are also taking place with his agent, Jorge Mendes. Barça could therefore pay for a defender they already know, previously had on loan and then spent a long time trying to bring back. The long-term plan has finally completed a full circle.

Hansi Flick reportedly considers Cancelo an important part of his project. All that remains is to present the deal as another masterstroke: the player misses the training camp, his club threatens punishment, everything is cleared up a few days later and Barça arrive with the money. Pure coincidence. Meticulously planned, as always.

The report comes from Mundo Deportivo, which also cites information from 365Scores. Cancelo is currently training alone in Portugal while Barcelona wait to learn the final terms of the transfer.

According to AS, citing EFE, that punishment could be imposed if Barcelona were found to have encouraged Álvarez to break his contract during the protected period. The striker is tied to Atlético until 2030. No verdict has been reached, but Barça must now submit their defence. A club that regularly signs players before checking whether it can register them could finally receive an official order to stop trying.

Lighter penalties are also possible, including a fine, suspensions, a stadium closure or a three-point deduction. History suggests there is no need to hold a funeral for Barça’s transfer plans just yet. In the similar Antoine Griezmann case, closing Camp Nou was proposed before the club eventually escaped with a €300 fine.

Still, it would be a fitting end to this operation. Barcelona offered €100 million for Álvarez, Atlético refused to sell, and Barça could now lose the ability to register every alternative on their shortlist as well. At this rate, the only new striker arriving this summer will be the lawyer leading their counterattack.

Atlético have also pointed out one small and rather inconvenient detail: Álvarez remains under contract until 2030. Barcelona, meanwhile, have spent weeks feeding the story of the player’s “dream”. When an agreement with his club proves difficult, the next option is apparently to create an atmosphere in which the transfer starts to look like a moral obligation.

Barcelona now have several days to submit their response, while the club’s lawyers are already studying the case. There is still no striker and no agreement, but at least the paperwork surrounding the transfer is progressing nicely.

AS reports that the complaint is unlikely to have serious consequences, as FIFA and the Spanish federation may view it as another chapter in the dispute between the two clubs. Barça may escape punishment. Pretending that the entire Álvarez campaign appeared out of nowhere could prove slightly harder.

Source: AS

According to Mundo Deportivo, negotiations over his return to Barcelona are still ongoing through Jorge Mendes. The deal is expected to be worth around €10 million, but tax-related issues continue to delay it. Barça have Flick’s approval, the player’s full commitment and Al-Hilal’s willingness to negotiate. All they need now is the minor detail of actually completing the transfer.

Cancelo remains under contract with Al-Hilal until 2027, but he appears determined to force the situation. Al-Hilal are waiting for their player, Cancelo is waiting for Barcelona, and Barcelona are waiting for the paperwork, the tax authorities and reality itself to finally accept the club’s version of events.

This is already the second similar case to be closed in recent weeks. A court previously rejected allegations made by former tennis player Albert Ramos, who claimed that he had been misled when investing in the same project. Two cases, two dismissals. Barcelona have not managed this level of efficiency even when registering players.

Laporta can therefore return to his daily duties: selling transfer dreams, explaining the club’s finances and searching for another lever that supposedly will not have to be called a lever. The season has not even started on the pitch, but the president is already on a winning streak. The only shame is that, for now, all his victories have come in court.