Barcelona is preparing for the departure of young defender Mamadou Mbacke when the transfer window opens in January.
Barcelona to offload defender Mbacke in winter window
The 23-year-old Senegalese center-back, currently with the subsidiary Barca Atletic team, appears to have no future at the club.
Hansi Flick’s coaching staff has not promoted Mbacke to the first team following his permanent signing from LAFC in mid-2024.
With his contract set to expire next summer, Barcelona now seeks to secure a transfer fee for the player rather than lose him for free.
The club has a clear financial incentive to complete a sale. Removing Mbacke’s salary from their books would provide valuable breathing room under La Liga’s financial rules, potentially allowing Barcelona to offer improved terms to any new signings.
Several clubs have already registered interest in the defender. Leading the pursuit are two European competitors: Czech Champions League side Slavia Prague and Swiss Europa League club FC Basel.
In Spain, second-division teams Cádiz and Málaga are also monitoring the situation, though they currently trail the two foreign suitors.
Barcelona hopes to finalize a deal in the coming weeks. The club maintains that any transfer must meet their valuation, but they are motivated to sell.
If an acceptable offer does not arrive, Mbacke could remain until his contract ends, an outcome Barcelona wishes to avoid.
This potential move underscores the club’s focus on streamlining its squad and managing costs during a constrained winter market, even as they work to facilitate more high-profile departures from the first team.
