/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27798281/465226981.0.jpg)
It's the most wonderfullll timeeee of the yearrrr! Transfer deadline day!
Except not really.
Sure, there's been murmurs that Barcelona would sign someone this window, like River Plate's Eder Alvarez Balanta. And sure, there was talk that maybe Alex Song would leave for Napoli.
But save a few minor deals, there's little chance the squad will be impacted.
Tonny Sanabria, who plays for Barcelona B, has already left for AS Roma, who then sent him to Sassuolo on loan. It's possible someone will come in to replace him on the B team.
Arsenal are reportedly pushing for Cristian Tello, and given they have lost their own ultra-fast winger, Theo Walcott, due to injury, it makes sense. Liverpool, who have depth issues at winger, also wanted Tello or possibly Isaac Cuenca.
In my opinion, it's unlikely Tello will leave this window. Simply, unless Martino has been totally convinced by Ibrahim Afellay's two appearances this season, or indeed the few matches B teamers like Adama Traore and Jean Marie Dongou have played, the rotation needs Tello.
Martino has so far stated he would like to keep Tello, at least for now.
It's a special situation for Cuenca and Afellay, both very talented, but both afflicted by serious injury. A loan switch, perhaps, would be helpful in shaking the rust off... away from the Camp Nou. On the other hand, maybe they have a role to play for Barca this season...
Afellay has reportedly turned down a loan to Villarreal, hoping to make an impact at Barcelona and get enough playing time to make the Netherlands' World Cup squad.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen looks almost certain to play in Catalonia, but it will be next season, not this. And there are rumors about whether Jose Manuel Pinto will continue as second goalkeeper, or if Jose Manuel Reina (Napoli / Liverpool), Diego Alves (Valencia), Kiko Casilla (Espanyol), Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad) or Miguel Angel Moya (Getafe) will be added as a replacement. But next season.
And then there's the ongoing saga of signing a defender, where an endless list of targets have been bandied about, but nothing has been confirmed. All of that is next window, not this. Next season.
It may be deadline day, but it might be a bit boring this year...
Next window though, may be a bit more exciting.