Seven players have departed European champions Barcelona Femení this summer, including twice Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, as the club's financial fair play troubles continue to disrupt the squad. Putellas, Ona Batlle, Mapi León, and Salma Paralluelo are among those leaving, leaving the team with only 17 senior players—two goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and three forwards—as pre-season training begins on 27 July.
Financial Fair Play Fallout
The exodus stems from the men's team's struggles with La Liga's financial fair play rules, which have forced cost-cutting measures across the club. Putellas ended her 14-year stay at Barcelona by joining Michele Kang's London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League on a free transfer, highlighting internal management issues. Mapi León also moved to London City on a free, reuniting with former teammates Jana Fernández, María Pérez, and Lucía Corrales.
Barcelona Femení made a profit of €1.955m (£1.67m) last season, their best financial result since 2023-24, driven by increased Champions League prize money and domestic success. However, with key players departing, matching that figure in 2026-27 appears unlikely.
WSL a Popular Destination
The English Women's Super League has become a common destination for departing Barcelona players, with 14 of their last 19 moves heading to English clubs. Batlle signed for Arsenal, joining former Barcelona winger Mariona Caldentey. Paralluelo has yet to announce her next club, but PSG are favorites after negotiations with Chelsea collapsed.
Since 2024, the club has seen 19 departures, including academy players who had regular first-team roles. In contrast, only two signings and two academy promotions have occurred. Reserve goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck arrived in July 2024 but left after one season, while Laia Aleixandri joined on a free from Manchester City in June 2025.
Academy Reliance Strained
With the squad threadbare, Barcelona are under pressure to reinforce. The club has promised signings soon, but whether they will be experienced professionals or academy products remains unclear. Last season, academy products Aïcha Camara and Clara Serrajordi were given first-team contracts during a similar crisis. However, key academy players are also leaving: goalkeeper Txell Font joined FC Badalona, Adriana Ranera signed for Deportiva de A Coruña, Martine Fenger moved to Hoffenheim, and Alba Caño went to NWSL side Boston Legacy.
Serrajordi and Camara stepped up last season, with Serrajordi deputizing in midfield when Aitana Bonmatí or Patri Guijarro were unavailable, and Camara covering for an injured Batlle. But with the best academy talents already on first-team deals, fewer options remain. Midfielders Carla Julià (19) and Rosalía Domínguez (17) are favorites to jump to the senior side if the club prioritizes in-house talent.
Defensive and Attacking Gaps
Losing Batlle weakens the defense, following Fridolina Rölfö's departure to Manchester United a year earlier. New signing Renee van Asten has arrived from Ajax, and Martina Fernández is expected to return from Everton. The forward line is even thinner, though coach Pere Romeu can deploy midfielders Vicky López, Kika Nazareth, and Sydney Schertenleib in attack.
“This team is one major injury away from imploding,” the article warns. Barcelona got away with it last season, winning every trophy, but the reliance on academy products cannot continue indefinitely as they aim to defend their Champions League title.
