5 players who are expected to leave Barcelona this summer
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FC Barcelona
Barcelona is slowly getting into the groove on the pitch, but things off it are far from settled. The Catalan side is still looking to balance their books, but with new sponsors coming in, they could be back to normal in no time.
Xavi has done a fine job since coming, and with the recent signings, the club is getting the results going their way. In fact, they have secured Champions League football next season by securing a second-place finish in La Liga this season.
The squad now has a perfect mix of youth and experience, and they are very likely to go the distance in the Champions League next season – something that seemed highly unlikely to happen after their start to this season.
They are likely to let go of a few players before bringing in more fresh faces and balancing their financial books. Here are 5 Barcelona players who could be sacrificed in the summer transfer for the sake of the club:
5. Riqui Puig
Riqui Puig seems almost certain to leave in the upcoming summer transfer window, probably on a loan. Rumors point to it, but so does common sense. Once considered one of FC Barcelona’s brightest prospects, the midfielder has fallen behind the pecking order as other youngsters have zoomed past him.
Puig was tipped as one of the biggest promises to come out of La Masia in a while and was hailed in his limited appearances under Ernesto Valverde as one to watch. His role grew when Valverde was sacked; Quique Setién used Puig often, almost in half of all matches.
However, his prominence did not grow further with the appointment of Ronald Koeman. The Dutchman told Puig to seek experience on loan, but the midfielder refused. Koeman did not freeze Puig out of the team, but his minutes were lowered at a time when usually, youngsters start to see their minutes increase.
Well, the main problem regarding his fall is he himself. Pedri at 19 is lightyears ahead of him in his game, and Nico and Gavi (both 17) have much better technical and passing abilities. He at 22 years of age has one too many flaws in his games and due to that, Xavi and Koeman both preferred other players over him.
Another reason is Xavi has managed mostly must-win games such as cup elimination games, or big matches to stay in the top four race. He’s had little time to give periphery players minutes and often has been forced by circumstance to select certain players ahead of others. Well, whatever it may be, it looks like Riqui’s time as a player for FC Barcelona is over.
4. Clement Lenglet
Clement Lenglet is one of several players expected to leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window after dropping down the pecking order. The Frenchman used to be a regular in central defense alongside Gerard Pique but has fallen behind both Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia.
There are reports that Lenglet’s agent has already received interest from “various Premier League clubs” interested in a possible move.
The Frenchman is contracted to Barca until 2026 but must know he faces more time on the bench if he stays, particularly with Andreas Christensen expected to arrive soon.
The report also reckons there’s a chance Lenglet could secure a return to Sevilla where he spent a year before joining Barcelona 2018. It is thought that Lenglet will be used as a sweetener in order to reduce the price that Sevilla ask for Jules Kounde, who is a top Barcelona target this season. to reinforce the backline.
3. Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay looks set to leave after just one season at Barcelona as he appears to have fallen down the pecking order since the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old arrived at the Nou Camp last summer from Lyon on a free transfer. Barcelona signed Depay back in the summer, with the Dutchman touching down at the Nou Camp to play under Ronald Koeman.
However, ever since the departure of Koeman and appointment of Xavi, the 28-year-old has struggled for game time – often falling behind Ousmane Dembele in the club’s pecking order ever since his resurgence.
It’s been reported that Tottenham has already made an offer to land Depay at the end of the campaign amid uncertainty over the player’s future.
And, now, it is reported to say the Netherlands international is open to leaving Barcelona providing they don’t make him too expensive for other clubs to sign.
2. Ousmane Dembele
Barcelona spent the final few hours of the January transfer window desperately trying to generate interest in a player president Joan Laporta has said is “better than Kylian Mbappe” and coach Xavi Hernandez insists can be “the best in the world in his position.” However, as Laporta worked until midnight at the club’s training ground offices with the director of football Mateu Alemany, ordering in pizza, they could not find a new home for Ousmane Dembele.
Dembele, 24, is out of contract in the summer, meaning he’s able to join a new team for free. Two weeks ago, following a failure to reach an agreement over a new deal, Alemany told the winger to find a new club before Jan. 31 as Barca wanted to remove his salary from the wage bill to make room for new signings amid LaLiga’s tight salary cap controls.
There was a late offer from a Premier League club, Laporta said, and tentative links with Paris Saint-Germain, but the France international never looked like leaving Camp Nou. But, with the season now finished, and no new breakthrough in negotiations, it looks like the Frenchman’s time at the Nou Camp is finally over.
1. Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona will be ‘attentive’ over possible offers for Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong, according to reports. The Dutchman is on United’s radar as they look to bolster their midfield this summer ahead of Erik ten Hag’s arrival. Xavi has claimed he would like to keep the 25-year-old at the Nou Camp but financial pressures could lead to his departure.
ten Hag managed the Holland international during their time at Ajax prior to his switch to the La Liga side but amid Barcelona’s ongoing financial trouble, his future remains unclear. The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this month that the Reds were weighing up a potential £75m move.
The two shared a great relationship at Ajax, and ten Hag could make the Dutchman the crux of United’s midfield. From a footballing point of view, this deal makes a lot of sense for Man Utd. They lack a controller in midfield, someone who is comfortable in possession and can recycle the ball from deep.
De Jong is one of the most technically gifted footballers on the planner right now. His quick feet, and ability to get out of tight spaces along with excellent passing make him the ideal fit for United. He would easily slot into Ten Hag’s style of play, having played it before. It could be difficult to convince him to join United, especially when the club has failed to qualify for the Champions League.
But, looking at Barcelona’s financial state of ruin, it is safe to assume that de Jong might be sold to balance the books, much like the infamous Arthur-Pjanic swap deal which ruined both of their careers.
Also Read: 5 great players who rejected Real Madrid
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Aryan Sharma
(95 Articles Published)