Entering the upcoming summer transfer window, Barcelona will be in survival mode. With the anticipated investment via the sale of Barça Studios not arriving, the Catalans are under pressure to facilitate sales to fulfil their long wish list for next season.
The Catalan administration see the arrival of Joao Cancelo on a permanent deal or another elite right-back to be non-negotiable and hold the same stance for a new defensive midfielder and an option for the left wing.
Needless to say, selling key players is the only way forward, and Joan Laporta and Co are planning towards the same.
Central defence to be cleared
As revealed in SPORT‘s recent report, the administration see the central defence to be overstaffed and the right department to look for sales. After all, the team currently has five central defenders with a further three on loan.
It thus has been decided that the surplus players must be sacrificed. Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo are the club’s bets for the long term, and at least two of the remaining players will be sold for massive sums.
Barcelona, thus, are planning to offer the aforementioned duo renewals while also considering the most saleable of the remaining options.
Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen, unsurprisingly, attract the largest offers but have their exits complicated as they both are happy in the Catalan capital.
Kounde has been far from his best this season but has repeatedly reiterated that he does not intend to leave. Chelsea and Manchester United are some of the clubs interested in his signing, but his departure will require a lot of work and convincing from Barcelona.
Christensen, meanwhile, has had no dearth of interest from the Premier League in recent transfer windows. However, he has always been firm about his commitment to Barcelona’s project.
The other options
Inigo Martinez, having just arrived last summer, is not well placed on the departure front as he wishes to see out his contract. The eyes, thus, also fall on the players on loan.
Clement Lenglet and Eric Garcia are both set to be sold by the club in June, especially considering their form at Aston Villa and Girona respectively. The latter, in particular, has been in phenomenal shape and could well make a permanent move across Catalonia.
The last remaining player, Chadi Riad, is one that generates a dilemma. He has been phenomenal for Real Betis this season and Barcelona consider utilising their buy-back clause on his deal, however, there is confusion over his future.
Deco sees the La Masia star to be one capable of succeeding with the first team. However, he has also attracted serious interest from England and is a saleable asset for the club.
It thus remains to be seen which players Barcelona are willing to sacrifice for the greater good. While all the players on loan could well leave, it appears like the club could be forced to sell one starting superstar in the current setup as well.
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