Chelsea were able to capitalise on the disarray fuelled by Ronald Koeman at Barcelona before any other Premier League side.
The Catalan side were hit with a financial crisis in September 2021 after La Liga cut a further €300 million (£253.6 million) from their spending limit, leaving them with just €97 million (£82 million) for operating costs - down from €382 million (£322.9 million) last season and then €600 million (£507.2 million) the campaign prior.
Barcelona were hit with these new economic restrictions after suffering €981 million (£829.2 million) in losses over the last two seasons, according to ESPN.
It handed the Spanish side a massive blow on and off the pitch; they were forced into making several sales, they were essentially limited to free transfers or loans and players began to worry about the future of the club.
Barcelona felt the impact of their financial misconduct the summer that Koeman arrived after Lionel Messi's widely reported contract saga hit the headlines.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner's legal team believed that Messi was free to walk away from his €700 million (£591.7 million) contract at Barcelona, according to Goal.
There was a huge media circus and the Argentine eventually cut ties on any legal proceedings, but Chelsea were the first club to smell blood.
In September 2020 - just weeks after Messi's contract saga - Chelsea sensed an opportunity that fell in line with their youth-driven objectives and shrewd business dealings.
La Masia prospect Xavier Mbuyamba joined Chelsea from Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a deal that saw the Dutch youth international move to Stamford Bridge for free.
Several reports claimed that the west Londoners beat Juventus to the then-18-year-old's signature, while academy director and countryman Patrick Kluivert also tried extending his stay at Camp Nou.
Mbuyamba has been likened to Virgil van Dijk by fans because of his exceptional quality on the ball, his towering presences and, of course, they're both Dutch.
The 19-year-old defender endured a tough start to life in west London after requiring surgery soon after his arrival but has since regained match fitness by working with the development squad.
He's been included in various first-team training sessions with Thomas Tuchel and, while Chelsea's contract crisis looms at large, a first-team debut could be on the horizon.
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