FC Barcelona is having a great time with its first team. Hansi Flick has managed to consolidate a competitive group that is on a good run both in La Liga and in Europe.
Key transfers and the investment in young talents such as Gavi and Lamine Yamal have allowed the team to compete at the highest level. However, not everything is positive at the blaugrana club.
Barça Atlètic: a Season of Ups and Downs
In contrast, Barça Atlètic is going through a worrying situation. The reserve team has shown serious problems this season, especially with regard to effectiveness in front of goal.
In 11 games, they've only managed to score 15 goals, a figure well below expectations. The comparison with last season is striking: Pau Víctor, the top scorer in the category, scored 20 goals in total. This is a figure that shows the decline in the offensive productivity of the team.
The Failed Transfer
Faced with these problems, the club looked for solutions on the market. One of the most notable options was Antonio Cordero, Málaga's young promise. At 17, this striker had already made his debut with the first team at Copa del Rey, showing his great potential.
However, negotiations with Malaga didn't prosper. The Andalusian club demanded 3 million euros for the transfer, a figure that Barça considered high, especially considering that Antoñito's contract terminates in 2025. This financial disagreement caused the operation to be paralyzed, leaving Barça without one of the most promising prospects in Spanish soccer.
Plan B: Iván Cédric
In an attempt to strengthen their offense, Barça Atlètic signed Iván Cédric at the last minute. However, the transfer wasn't without problems.
The transfer of the Madrid player wasn't initially accepted by the RFEF because the operation was completed at the last minute. Days later, the organization gave the green light, validating his registration.
Despite this addition, the lack of a goalscorer with the profile of Antoñito continues to be a problem. Iván Cédric has shown good performance. However, he hasn't managed to fill the void left by Pau Víctor or provide the goals necessary for Barça Atlètic to improve its scoring figures.
Antoñito: an Opportunity for the Future
The case of Antoñito is not closed. The young striker has still not renewed his contract with Málaga. This leaves the door open for Barça to resume its interest in the next market. If the blaugrana club decides to bet on him, they could obtain his services at a more affordable price or even wait until his contract ends in 2025.
Gavi is one of the most influential voices among the youngsters in the first team. He 's already pointed out the need to bring in national talents such as Antoñito. For Barça, this operation wouldn't only be a short-term solution for the reserve team but also a future bet for the first team.