Barcelona stated before the January transfer window that they wanted to recruit a central midfielder that they felt they were missing, but they did not get him. Using the emergency signing rule to register Vitor Roque in place of Gavi, a late option to do the same appeared after the injury of Alejandro Balde, but they could not find the right fit. One of his options, the Senegalese midfielder Dion Lopyproved very expensive.
Lopy arrived at Almeria in the summer after impressing at Stade Reims for a fee that could rise to €10m including variables. MD say that Barcelona contacted Almeria, who, despite not having won a game this season and looking ready for relegation, were not willing to part with Lopy easily. Eintracht Frankfurt had also inquired about Lopy, and offered 15 million euros for him, but Barcelona were asking for much more. He has a contract with the Andalusian side until 2029.
Due to his skill on the ball, physicality and position, Lopy is a good base to build on in the midfield, and he has not looked out of place this season despite Almeria's form. This was shown during the transfer window, when he was instrumental in Almeria almost pulling off a famous victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. It seems, given the price, Barcelona is unlikely to return for him in the winter.
