New FC Barcelona signing arrives this week — who is he? and where is he from?

FC Barcelona's new signing is set to arrive in the Catalan city in the coming days, according to outlets such as SPORT, which cited unnamed sources.

According to The Athletic, citing unidentified sources, the athlete will join his new team this week after a 10-month wait.

A new signing made by FC Barcelona is believed to

be scheduled to arrive in the Catalan capital in the coming days.

UEFA via Getty Images

It is public knowledge that Ibrahim Diarra's purchase from CPF Africa Foot has already been completed.

When Barca's last financial report was released a few weeks ago, it said that $1.6 million (€1.5 million) and $200,000 (€190,000) will be paid to Africa Foot and Diarra under the outstanding obligations section.

Barcelona's acquisition of Diarra marks the start of a new transfer plan. It entails the Blaugrana going directly to Africa to find potential, rather than waiting for another European opponent to do so and then signing established players for premiums after they've already begun to show promise on the Old Continent or hit their peak.

This fits cash-strapped Barcelona, who might make a mint by purchasing a potential prodigy and either guiding his growth to the first team or selling him for a profit to another club.

In the summer of 2023, Barca outbid Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund for the acquisition of Mika Faye, who cost less than $2 million.

A year later, Faye was sent to Rennes for $10.9 million (€10.3 million). If Faye succeeds in France, his old employers may purchase him back for €25 million and retain 30% of any future sale of the defender.

Diarra is a unique player in that he can play as both a left-footed right winger and an attacking midfielder.

He would do well to remove fellow adolescent Lamine Yamal from the right flank, as well as offensive midfielders Dani Olmo and Pedri from their positions.

Nevertheless, as witnessed this week, manager Hansi Flick is willing to appoint replacements for the injured Lamine when he needs a rest or experiences muscular soreness, whereas Olmo has lately been out and cannot be hurried to play everything.

Diarra will be able to earn his first official minutes in a Barcelona shirt in January, and he will most likely join Barca Atletic, like Faye did, with the goal of breaking into Flick's senior group.