Barcelona’s last signing of Ousmane Dembele over the summer helped ease the pain of Neymar’s departure somewhat and prevented the window being a real disaster.
However, the Frenchman barely had chance to show exactly what he could do when he picked up an injury that required surgery.
Dembele is now fit again and expected to return to action in January and expectations will be high with Barca in need of some creativity and inspiration.
The 20-year-old will need time and patience to show his best form after such a long time out, but his return will be eagerly anticipated.