Koeman's request for new signings turned down

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Koeman's request for new signings turned down

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The Dutch coach had asked for a central midfielder and a striker

While Barça's sporting directors have been focusing on finding buyers for various unwanted players, allowing them to reduce their wage bill and thus register their new signings ahead of Sunday's league opener against Real Sociedad, Ronald Koeman and his staff are keen to bring in new players in light of Leo Messi's departure and Sergio Aguero's lengthy injury lay-off. Conscious of the weaknesses in the squad, the Dutch coach asked the club's technical secretariat for two signings in a meeting held this morning. However, the club's response was clear: they do not plan on making any further signings.

Koeman met Mateu Alemany and Ramón Planes this morning to discuss the first team squad. In the meeting, the Dutch coach insisted that the club needs to sign another midfielder and a striker. Koeman felt that the club's failure to sign Gini Wijnaldum would mean, at least, that another midfielder would sign in his place, even if he were of a lower quality than the PSG midfielder. He also feels that a new forward is necessary in light of Messi's departure and Aguero's 10-week spell on the sidelines.

However, Koeman was told that he won't be able to sign any more players. The coach was informed that he will have to make do with the current squad, and that the club will continue to work frantically to find buyers for unwanted players in order to register the likes of Memphis and Eric García with LaLiga. They will only make a move to sign a striker if they manage to sell Martin Braithwaite for a high fee. It is only in this case that the club might look to bring another forward in during this transfer window.

BARÇA MAY TRY TO SIGN PLAYERS IN THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

If the club's dire financial situation improves between now and January, and if they manage to find takers for unwanted players on high wages, they may look to sign players in January if required. Barça are looking to increase their revenue streams between now and January, which could allow them to make moves in the winter transfer window.

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