It's already confirmed. Laia Aleixandri returns to Barça. It's a high-profile signing that, however, creates a relationship problem.
Laia Aleixandri is a "made in Barça" product. She was trained in the youth teams of the blaugrana club. But the lack of playing time led her to make the leap to Atlético, where she played for five years.
One of the Few Greats Not Playing at Barça
Then to Manchester City, where she has been for the last three years shining at a high level.
During that time, she has become one of the great players in Spanish soccer, world champion in its female category. Laia was one of the few greats in Spanish soccer not playing at Barça.
But the blaugrana club has corrected the mistake. And, taking advantage of the end of her contract with Manchester City, they have brought her back to their champion team.
Laia Aleixandri comes to strengthen the center of the blaugrana defense. There are Irene Paredes, who has reached an agreement to stay at the club at 33 years old, and Mapi León.
Ingrid Engen, the Big Loser Due to Laia's Arrival
The problem arises when the player directly affected by Aleixandri's arrival is the Norwegian Ingrid Engen. She is a player who arrived at Barça with great fanfare from Wolfsburg and whose performance has declined.
She arrived as a midfielder but ended up playing as a central defender, mainly last season, when Mapi León practically missed the season due to an injury.
Mapi León's return sent her back to the bench, and in the last winter transfer window, Engen, whose contract ends on June 30, requested to be transferred to Olympique de Lyon.
But she didn't have the same luck as Keira Walsh, who ended up moving to Chelsea. Barça understood that Lyon's financial offer wasn't sufficient.
The Mapi-Engen Pair in Jeopardy
Nothing has changed since then. Engen has no place in the midfield, dominated by Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí, and Alexia Putellas. But she also doesn't have a place in the defense, especially with the signing of Laia Aleixandri.
The problem goes beyond the sports field and enters the sentimental one. Ingrid Engen is the partner of Mapi León, the player blocking her path at Barça. Everything points to their relationship having to be long-distance starting next season.
Engen won't continue at Barça and will presumably resume negotiations with Olympique de Lyon to solve her future.
Meanwhile, Mapi León's contract with Barça ends in 2026. Will it be then when they reunite in Lyon?