The five Barcelona players that have been exiled by Xavi
Cameron Smith
- 12 Jul 2022 13:44 BST
- 3 min read
Xavi has left out five players for Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States and has reportedly told them they are surplus to requirements.
The Barcelona legend took the reigns at Camp Nou from Ronaldo Koeman mid-way through the 2021/22 campaign, meaning this is his first pre-season at the helm.
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And, Xavi has taken action immediately without holding back. Barcelona have already signed Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers, while Raphinha is expected to join from Leeds United and a deal could yet be reached with Bayern Munich over a transfer for Robert Lewandowski.
Frenkie de Jong's future is still unknown amid talks with Manchester United, but Xavi has made things clear in regards to five of his first-team squad.
The Spanish head coach has left Oscar Mingueza, Riqui Puig, Sameul Umtiti, Neto and Rey Manaj out of Barcelona's US pre-season tour and Mundo Deportivo have reported that they've been told to find a new club this summer.
Mingueza has reportedly attracted interested from Serie A side Monza, while Umtiti is understood to be in talks with Rennes over a return to France.
The report also says that Puig, who has 12 months left on his current deal, could sign a new contract, but Barca would prefer to either sell him or loan him out this window.
Barcelona are set to face Olot, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus, and New York Red Bulls in their pre-season preparations in the USA, before they play Pumas at the Spotify Camp Nou in their final pre-season friendly before the new La Liga season kicks off.
The aforementioned De Jong has been included in Xavi's squad to travel to the States, despite talks ongoing with Man Utd.
Squad turnover at Barcelona
Barcelona have already seen a fair few departures this summer, with Clement Lenglet joining Tottenham on loan, Luuk de Jong returning to Sevilla before being sold back to the Eredivisie after his loan spell, and both Ousmane Dembele and Dani Alves leave following the expiration of their contracts.
However, Dembele is expected to sign a new deal at the club after a lack of real, genuine interest from elsewhere.
Read more about: UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Barcelona, Neto, Rey Manaj, Riqui Puig, Samuel Umtiti, Óscar Mingueza
