Five players who could still leave Barcelona this summer
Robin Bairner
- 11 Aug 2022 14:15 BST
- 4 min read
Barcelona have enjoyed a spectacular summer transfer window, making a host of exciting signings that promise to elevate them back among Europe’s very best sides.
The signings of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde, though, will need balanced by players leaving the club as they face a fight to register their new stars.
For years, Barcelona have built a big squad, but it is one that has become bloated by players unlikely to be used by Xavi, who is still moulding this group into one in his image. Ideally, he would like to perform dramatic surgery to his team, but that is likely to be tempered by the fact that some of these players are simply unsellable.
Here are the five likeliest to be moved on.
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Frenkie de Jong
It’s war between De Jong and Barcelona, with the Catalan club threatening legal action for the player if he does not either accept a pay cut or leave this summer. Manchester United have long been chasing him but it is Chelsea who now lead the way for the Netherlands international midfielder. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that he will back down and depart Camp Nou, which could cause fireworks in the months ahead.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Only arrived in January from Arsenal but could be shipped out to the Premier League, where he could team up with former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel. Indeed, with the Blues allowing Timo Werner to depart, it seems that this could be a move that suits everyone given that the influx of new signings leaves the Gabon star destined for a spot on the bench.
Memphis Depay
Signed up last summer because he was the best of what was available on a free transfer. Memphis has shown glimpses of his undoubted potential, but just as he struggled at Manchester United, it seems that he is perhaps better cut out to be a star in a team a level or two down rather than just another player in an elite side. Interest in him comes from the Premier League.
Samuel Umtiti
The World Cup winning defender finds himself as a misfit at Camp Nou and has not been given a squad number for the forthcoming league season. Did recently agree a new deal that has seen his wages cut, but with the Financial Fair Play situation tight at Barcelona and Umtiti having struggled for four years with injury, he is surplus to demands. Might have moved back to France with Rennes but failed a medical earlier this summer and could even be paid off.
Martin Braithwaite
whistles at Martin Braithwaite#Barca #Braithwaite #Gamper #Gamper2022 #Lewandowski pic.twitter.com/CMpiY6zRtb
— FUT (@Futboleer) August 8, 2022
Jeered by the Barcelona fans when the team was presented at Camp Nou, Braithwaite is another who is locked in a contractual tug of war with the club. Given the superstars around him, there appears little prospect of the 31-year-old getting any game time this season and he is another who could be paid to leave.
