Buying kids and losing seniors: Barca mess means they could be left without Gundogan this week

Barcelona is currently in a race against time to register their close-season signing, Ilkay Gundogan. Reports suggest that the former Manchester City captain could leave the club if he is not registered by Sunday.

The German joined Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, following his seven-year stay in Manchester and is yet to make an official appearance for the Catalan club.

Xavi hopes that Gundogan, their marquee signing, can be part of the team as they begin their La Liga title defence against Getafe on Sunday.

However, according to Forbes, there's a possibility that Gundogan's time at the Nou Camp could come to an abrupt end before it even properly started. It's been reported that a clause in his contract would allow him to walk away from the club if he's not registered in time.

While the club struggles to register players for the first team, they are making the moves to bolster their youth ranks - perhaps they wouldn't have so many financial difficulties if that had been their priority in the past decade. In either case, Barca signed promising German midfielder Noah Darvich. Despite still being in the youth age range, the 16-year-old player will join the ranks of Barca Atletic, showcasing the undeniable talent that the young footballer possesses.

The German gem at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, accompanied by his family, signed the contract that will bind him to the Blaugrana entity in the upcoming years.

As previously reported by Mundo Deportivo, the club will pay a transfer fee of around $4 million plus potential variables that could reach a figure close to $12 million if he ends up playing for the first team.

The player is a tall, left-footed central midfielder with excellent technique. During the group stage of the previous U-17 European Championship, he was the player who created the most chances with seven, the same as Lamine Yamal, his new teammate.

Darvich began following the Blaugrana team on Instagram a few days ago, leaving hints about his future. He has also recently started following some of his new teammates on social media, like Marc Guiu.