The FC Barcelona is about to seal the arrival of Jesse Bisiwu, the Belgian winger from Club Brugge who will become one of the first signings of the Hansi Flick era. According to mundodeportivo.com, the agreement between both clubs is already done, but the official signing could be delayed by a few days just as the Barcelona first team is already working in England.

A deal sealed for just under 9 million

The numbers are locked in: Barcelona will pay 8.5 million euros to Club Brugge plus a 20% clause on future sales. It is not a stratospheric investment, but it does demonstrate the board's commitment to this talent of just 18 years old who already has experience in the Belgian elite.

What is interesting is that the Catalan club accepts that Bisiwu will probably not arrive in time to travel with the group next Monday to St. Georges' Park (Birmingham), where the preseason camp is scheduled until August 3. An incorporation midway through, which ultimately reflects the logic of the modern transfer market: transfers do not wait for ideal schedules.

A possible debut in Birmingham, but without rush

Although he misses the first training sessions, Bisiwu will have plenty of opportunities to debut and show his level. His first test could come on Friday, July 31 against Birmingham City at St. Andrews' Stadium, Barcelona's first preseason friendly against a Championship team.

If he is not in the squad for that match, there will be plenty of time. The friendly schedule is generous:

• Monday, August 3: closed-door match against Preston North End
• Saturday, August 8: triangular with Udinese and Nottingham Forest
• Possible friendly on Saturday, August 15
• Wednesday, August 19: Joan Gamper Trophy against Egyptian Al Ahly

Four or five opportunities in less than three weeks to win Flick's trust before official competition begins.

Reserve team, but with first-team ambitions

Bisiwu will arrive registered with Barcelona's reserve team, an administrative detail that is common in such young players. However, Barcelona's intention is clear: he will be integrated into first-team training and will compete for minutes under the new German coach's orders.

It is the typical path for developing talents: living between two worlds, learning from the veterans at the training ground and, with luck, stealing an opportunity in the friendlies that proves he is ready to make the jump.

Discreet presentation

There is one final revealing detail: Barcelona does not plan to present Bisiwu with great fanfare. No ceremony at Camp Nou, no photos on the pitch in a new shirt. It is an implicit message: this is a medium-term project, a signing for the future, not a star to solve immediate problems.

So while the rest of the Barcelona squad are already in Birmingham preparing for the season, Bisiwu awaits the paperwork in Brugge. He will soon be at the training ground, but without rush. Football, sometimes, is also about patience.