Jules Kounde kept himself busy during training with Barcelona on Saturday as the club kept up their efforts to register their new signing.
Manager Xavi revealed the Catalans have still not been authorised to register French defender Kounde as a player as the club works to comply with La Liga's financial fair play rules.
The potential sales of strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay could allow Barca to comply with LaLiga's salary cap rules. But as the transfer window draws to a close, time is running out to register one of their marquee signings of the season, alongside Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
"At the moment, we don't know anything. We are on stand-by," Xavi said ahead of their trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
"We are waiting. Kounde is a great leader and a great player. Hopefully he shows it soon - tomorrow, if he can play. He has trained very well, I see him in good spirits, but we need to sell players to be able to register him."
Kounde missed Barca's league opener against Rayo Vallecano.
Barcelona ratings v Rayo Vallecano
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BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 7. Excellent one-handed save from Alvaro Garcia in the first half – against a team which beat Barcelona home and away last season. The German was also far quicker to move the ball than his opposite, who was booed by the vast 81,104 crowd for time wasting. Getty -
Ronald Araujo - 6. Started, oddly, at right back and seldom looked comfortable there. AFP -
Eric Garcia - 6. Still to fully convince as a top centre half for Barca. AFP -
Adreas Christensen - 8. Calm in central defence on his debut for a side with 68 per cent of possession in the first half, though his boss often instructed him from the side. The best of the debutants and his tackle stopped Rayo getting another winner at Camp Nou. Getty -
Jordi Alba - 6. Attacked, didn’t always make the right option when he did. AFP -
Pedri - 7. Curled a shot wide after 35 and his side tried and failed to break down a very well organised side. The best midfielder, but none of his heroics from the Gamper win a week ago. AFP -
Gavi - 5. The man on the 10-man shortlist for the Kopa Trophy, currently held by Pedri, which is given to the best player under the age of 21, but he was the poorest of his side’s midfielders. Reuters -
Sergio Busquets - 4. Sent off injury time after a poor performance. Frenkie de Jong could be the one who takes advantage of his ban. Reuters -
Ousmane Dembele - 6. Shot on target after 34 amid Barca pressure and then set up Pedri. Booked. A threat, but Rayo’s defence were excellent. AFP -
Robert Lewandowski - 6. Put the ball in the net after 12 but it was offside. Headed over after 36 and battled with Catena. Had only one shot and two touches in the Rayo box in the first half. More involved in the second and shot just wide after 81. EPA -
Raphinha - 5. Barca used the debutant to get at Rayo on the left wing, with limited success. AFP -
SUBS: Frenkie De Jong (Gavi 59') - 7. Made front page news for most of the week before the game. Swung a 69th minute free-kick towards goal but no teammate got on the end of it. Brought energy and opportunity in the shape of two top chances to his side. Deserves to start. AFP -
Sergi Roberto (Christensen 60') - 5. Did little of note. EPA -
Ansu Fati (Raphinha 61') - 7. Curled a shot on target on 65 as the Catalans pushed and pushed. His exciting runs brought fans to their feet. Reuters -
Franck Kessie - 7. Midfielder who impressed pre-season and did that against Rayo. Barca didn’t play badly, Rayo were excellent. Reuters -
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Alba 81') - N/A. Fans were singing his name. Shot wide after 84 and Rayo held firm for an incredible draw. AFP
"The transfer market ends on August 31 and we don't know what will happen," Xavi added.
Earlier, Xavi called for "patience" after his side's draw with Rayo Vallecano in their season opener.
Barca struggled in front of goal in the disappointing stalemate at the Camp Nou last weekend.
Lewandowski, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen all made their debuts from the start against Rayo and Franck Kessie made his first competitive appearance for Barca as a substitute.
Xavi has called for calm from supporters as he looks to work with new players.
"I understand the disappointment, the expectations are really high," Xavi said after the Rayo match.
"We will have to analyse the game, improve and continue to believe in the style of play. Rayo defended well. It was harder for us to create than usual."
