Maxwell Effect

First transfer of the season: Barça made at last its first move in the summer transfer market signing Brazilian left back Maxwell from Inter Milan for 5 million euros. Maxwell was one of the choices of Guardiola to cover the hole left by Silvinho. This transfer will help Barça both technically and tactically from the very first day. Maxwell is a very offensive player that will create some competition with Abidal for a place in the main team. But the best aspect of this signing is the effect that it will cause on the market. First of all; it is a very strategic signing that didn’t cost Barça too much. In fact, 5 millions euros seems like nothing in today’s market. Second, this signing allows Barça to save money that they were willing to invest for Deportivo’s defender Filipe Luis. Barça put an offer of 9 million euros which Depor’s president considered to be too little. Now Depor ended up losing a good deal and keeping an unhappy player.

Villa will be next: He seems as though he really wants to leave Valencia and want to be in Barça. If he really wants it he will succeed; I’m of the opinion that Villa will break his silence soon and manifest to the media his interest in playing for Barça. Valencia’s president has to look at what happened with Filipe Luis. When a player wants to leave and he doesn’t then he ends up playing very bad; even if his level is equal or better, his mood affects the dynamic of the team. Barça has other options; one of them as attractive as Villa. If Valencia keeps pushing they will end up just like Depor; missing the opportunity of make a good deal and bring money to their account, and keeping an unhappy player. The funny side of this story is that Valencia was asking for 42 millions to Real Madrid for Villa and Barça is willing to leave them 42 millions for the same player and even two players on loan and Llorente [Valencia’s President] still don’t want to negotiate.

Forlan on deck: the second alternative that Barça is considering at this time is Diego Forlan. The two times and current golden boot of Europe has been linked to Barça for years now. Forlan wants to be back at the elite of the world after Manchester United let him go. He is a player that has a lot of resources to score and would adapt to Pep’s offensive style. His signing is probably easier than Villa since they don’t even have to negotiate with Atletico; all Txiki has to do is pay the termination clause of his contract which is 36 million euros. The only negative thing about Forlan is that he currently sits at 30; these things don’t really matter if at the end Barça wins big titles but 30 years still 30 years. Regardless of what happens, Maxwell effect will start to feel soon; hopefully Barça ends up signing players that will lead to the 4th Champion’s League