Valverde warns Barça about any unwanted sales

The new project at Barcelona makes its official debut today after plenty of departures and four new signings in the bag. Ernesto Valverde is happy with what he's got. So much so in fact, that he made it clear that he didn't want anyone sold at this late stage of the transfer window.

Valverde believes more in what he has, rather than what he could have. The warning from the coach comes after he saw Neymar sold from under his feet and left the squad playing catch up right until the transfer window closed. And it isn't because there are tempting offers on the table for the starting members of the team, or those with great potential, but so the club knows his stance. While a big money transfer would do Barça's accounts the world of good, it'd be to the detriment to the football side with the league about to get started.

We'll need to wait and see what the sporting department does in the next few days, especially as the English transfer market is now closed. Everything suggests there will be no more sales and that suits Valverde down to the ground. However, what happens in the Spanish Super Cup could impact the future plans of the club. This is because Barcelona have avoided spending the huge fees other have this window as they look to offset the increase in salaries across the first team.

The investment in young players and easing the academy stars into the first team isn't a coincidence but rather an obligation in the current climate. To keep hold of this Barcelona squad is expensive and for that reason Valverde understands it's better to conserve what you have rather than spend wildly. A disappointing result against Sevilla in the Super Cup shouldn't signify alarm bells being rung and crazy deals. Last season, Madrid beat Barça comfortably in the two-legged affair but then finished well off the pace in LaLiga. Valverde has three weeks to defend and retain his squad. Let's see if he manages to do that.