Barcelona’s women’s football team faces significant challenges in the aftermath of a second consecutive summer marked by the departure of key players, despite their historic success in 2026, when they secured all four major trophies, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Seven senior players have left the club this summer, with 19-year-old Dutch midfielder Renee van Asten, signed from Ajax, the only confirmed incoming transfer so far. Among the departures, the loss of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas stands out. Putellas, who spent 14 years with Barcelona, joined London City Lionesses in England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) on a free transfer, underscoring ongoing internal financial and management challenges within the club. Mapi León, another prominent Spain international and Putellas’s teammate, also moved to London City on a free transfer, reuniting with former Barcelona players Jana Fernández, María Pérez, and Lucía Corrales.
Other notable exits include Spain internationals Ona Batlle, who signed with Arsenal in the WSL, and Salma Paralluelo, whose next destination remains uncertain but is widely reported to be Paris Saint-Germain following unsuccessful talks with Chelsea. The WSL continues to be a preferred destination for Barcelona players, with 14 of the last 19 departures since 2024 heading to English clubs.
Barcelona’s women’s team now has a roster of 17 senior players—two goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders, and three forwards—but with pre-season training starting soon, the club is under pressure to reinforce a squad that appears thin and vulnerable. Attempts are ongoing to sign Brazil forward Kerolin from Manchester City. At the same time, the team is grappling with the departure of promising academy players like goalkeeper Txell Font, midfielder Adriana Ranera, defender Martine Fenger, and forward Alba Cañó, who recently joined Boston Legacy in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States.
Barcelona’s reliance on academy graduates has been notable in recent seasons. Players such as Serrajordi and Camara were instrumental during injury spells to senior players last term, but with many academy talents already contracted to the first team, options for promotion this summer are limited. Younger prospects like midfielders Carla Julià (19) and Rosalía Domínguez (17) are expected to contend for senior roles if the club emphasizes internal development.
Financially, Barcelona Femení reported a profit of €1.955 million in the 2025-26 season, its best since 2023-24, buoyed by increased Champions League prize money and their domestic trebles. However, the departure of key players foreshadows a challenging fiscal and competitive outlook for 2026-27.
Defensively, the loss of Batlle follows last year’s exit of Fridolina Rölfö to Manchester United, further weakening the backline. Besides van Asten’s arrival, Martina Fernández’s potential return from Everton could provide some reinforcement. The forward line, however, remains depleted, with coach Pere Romeu expected to deploy versatile midfielders such as Vicky López, Kika Nazareth, and Sydney Schertenleib in attacking roles.
As Barcelona prepares to defend its European crown, the accumulation of departures and limited reinforcements raise concerns about squad depth and sustainability. Observers warn that the team may be one significant injury away from serious difficulties, indicating that the current model of heavy reliance on academy promotion may not suffice to maintain their dominance in the coming season.