Barcelona is not as closely associated with Real Madrid, which is a Hollywood-style business. They are often dependent on their youth network for success.
La Blaugrana have, however, dipped more into the transfer pool over the years than just their toes – even risking January window.
It’s always risky to add players to your squad halfway through a season. But Barcelona, who were reluctant to make such an acquisitions in winter windows past, has seen some of its investments pay off. Below is a list of 90min’s most notable January signings.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit great form at Barcelona / Alex Caparros/GettyImages
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might be the best winter arrival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has ever seen, given that January has been so quiet for Catalan giants.
The bitter end of his Arsenal career saw the Gabonese striker join Barcelona midway through the 2002/02 season. He was able to sprint, though, which is fair.
He was however quick to leave Camp Nou.
Aubameyang joined Chelsea in the summer 2022, just a few months after he arrived in Spain. He scored 13 goals in 24 games for Xavi’s team. Aubameyang also contributed 12 goals in just 17 La Liga games as La Blaugrana won a second-place finish.
Miguel Reina might not be a household name, but he was a formidable player between the Barcelona sticks in his seven years at Barcelona. He joined the club from Cordoba during the winter 1966.
The spanish shot-stopper took three years to become the club’s first choice in goal. But, once he did, he was incredibly solid.
Reina was a La Blaugrana player who kept 73 clean sheet in 161 games and conceded only 134 goals. His Camp Nou career was highlighted by his 20 clean sheets and 21 conceded goals in 1972/73 La Liga campaign. However, he never won a league championship.
After lifting two Cope del Rey trophies (or Copa del Generalisimo as it was known in those days), he’d finally go on to win La Liga with Atletico Madrid after leaving Barça.
Edgar Davids is a key player in Barcelona’s current success / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/GettyImages
Edgar Davids, although not the most glamorous or long-standing signings Barcelona made in January over the years has been one of Barcelona’s most important.
The legendary Dutchman arrived from Juventus halfway through the 2003/04 season. Languishing in the mediocrity of mid-table and boasting just five wins from their opening 15, it would seem impossible for then-Barça boss Frank Rijkaard to set the club onto its next cycle of domination that campaign.
Davids’s tenacity and rugged character helped him to do so. Davids’ arrival in Spain was a major turning point in the club’s season. Rijkaard’s side lost just two of their final 19 La Liga fixtures, while winning 14. Davids’ injections of grit at the base was crucial to their eventual second-placed finish.
Despite only a six-month stint at Barcelona, he was an integral part of the club’s long-term success in the 21st centuries.
Frank de Boer was the heart of Barcelona for almost five decades / Mark Thompson/GettyImages
Frank de Boer, who signed in January 1999 for Barcelona from Ajax alongside his brother Ronald – but didn’t quite do as well – was a prominent figure during the club’s success just before the new millennium.
After his arrival at the club’s top, De Boer would continue to play in all but two La Blaugrana’s 1998/99 La Liga fixtures. The defender would experience many changes in the years to come.
De Boer was an active member of the side during his four-and a half-year tenure at Barcelona.
He left the club having played 214 games and was a well-loved part of the back line due to his attacking flair that reminded me of Ronald Koeman.