Another surprising winter transfer move with Football Club Barcelona jumping on the opportunity to sign a loan deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. for their star winger, Adama Traore. The deal was done on January 27, 4 days before the January transfer window ends.
The deal was agreed verbally between both parties as Adama Traore goes on a six-month loan spell to FC Barcelona until June 2022. The Blaugrana has agreed to pay 100 percent of Adama’s salary along with certain other performance-based perks.
Based on Adama Traore’s performance, Barcelona even has an option to buy at 30 million euros along with certain bonuses. If this loan deal is converted into a permanent move, Adama will sign a 5-year contract with the Catalan Giants.
Adama Traoré to Barcelona, done deal and here-we-go. Loan with buy option [not mandatory] for €30m plus bonuses. Barça will cover 100% of the salary until June. 🔵🔴 #FCB
Deal to be signed on Friday, as per @David_Ornstein.
Enhorabuena a @martinezferran @gerardromero @sport 🤝 pic.twitter.com/QQCIVpnSrD— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2022
Struggling this season, Adama was finding it difficult to adjust with the EPL “standards”. Tired of getting less playtime, Adama wanted a fresh start. Already have played in the “Spanish Liga”, moving to Barcelona could turn out to be career-changing.
This deal however makes the situation difficult for Tottenham Hotspurs who were almost about to sign Traore. This deal however fell apart as FC Barcelona swooped in at the last moment and begin a Spanish player, Adama Traore preferred Barcelona over Spurs.
Traore Returns Home
Being a La Masia graduate, Traore always showed the signs of becoming a great player. His early success at Barcelona B matches put the Spanish Star under the limelight and on August 14, 2015, Traore was signed by Aston Villa for 10 million euros.
After a couple of English team moves, Traore landed up in Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C in the year 2018. He spent three glorious years in the club, helping them reach a position of respect in the English Premier League and the UEFA Europa League.
In season 2021-22, Adama struggled to find his feet in the first team due to injuries and inconsistent performances and with FC Barcelona needing more striker options, Adama decided to call his time off with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C and decided to return to his home club.
Barcelona’s Attack Given “Hopes”
With Sergio Aguero out of the picture due to early retirement, Dembele out due to “contract issues” and recent injuries to Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay, and Martin Braithwaite, Barcelona have a few attacking options left.
All the attacking options left for Xavi are inexperienced La Masia players thus the signing of Adama Traore can turn out to be a “blessing in disguise”. This will strengthen the attacking side and also give the whole unit a sense of motivation for the remaining season.
Irrespective of all the positives about the signing of Adama Traore, Barcelona has to be careful in terms of how “efficiently” they use him. Will this be a perfect move or a “panic buy”, we have the whole season to find this out.
