Five things Barcelona need to resolve on deadline day
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 1 Sept 2022 11:34 BST
- 4 min read
Barcelona are set for a busy deadline day as they look to round off a rollercoaster summer and finalise their squad.
The Catalan outfit have spent more than €150 million this summer on the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha after activating a series of economic levers to fund their business.
However, Barca are still operating with tight margins and only just recently managed to register Kounde with La Liga after he was ineligible to play in their first two games.
With the club still planning on conducting plenty of business before the deadline, FootballTransfers takes a look at five issues Barcelona need to resolve before the transfer window slams shut.
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Aubameyang and Alonso
Top of Barcelona's agenda is the deal that will take Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea and could also likely see Marcos Alonso head the other direction.
The two clubs have been locked in negotiations in recent weeks, however a breakthrough is expected to be reached and a deal of €12m plus Alonso is close to being agreed.
Aubameyang will likely be unavailable for the entire month of September for his new team after suffering a broken jaw during a home invasion over the weekend.
Frenkie de Jong
Arguably this summer's biggest saga, the future of Frenkie de Jong is still up in the air, with a Premier League move still potentially on the cards.
The Dutchman had an offer on the table from Manchester United for the majority of the summer but he has so far resisted any temptation to leave, in part due to him still being owed around €17m in deferred wages by Barca.
However, the club have told De Jong that he must leave or take a paycut and Chelsea are still considering a late move for him as they look to bolster their midfield options.
Sergino Dest
One player likely to head to the exit door is Sergino Dest, with the American on course to join Milan on loan for the rest of the season.
Man Utd were heavily linked with the 21-year-old throughout the summer but he is expected in Italy for a medical after a deal was struck.
The Rossoneri will also have an option to make the deal permanent for €20m, with Dest having already agreed terms on a potential contract until 2027.
Miralem Pjanic
Miralem Pjanic is another player who is still considering leaving the Camp Nou before the deadline, with Saudi club Al-Nassr making the biggest push for him.
The Bosnian midfielder has been told that he is an important part of Xavi's squad but he has accepted that he may need to leave for a greater chance of first-team football, although he is believed to be holding out for a team in Europe.
Barca have already managed to remove two albatrosses from their wage bill, with Martin Braithwaite set to have his contract terminated and Jordi Alba heading to Inter on loan.
Hector Bellerin
With Dest set to leave, Barcelona are likely to look towards a replacement at right-back and they have lined up Hector Bellerin at Arsenal as their ideal target.
Bellerin, who began his career in Barca's academy, spent last season on loan at Real Betis and has been told he is free to leave Arsenal this summer.
The 27-year-old will likely have his deal terminated by the Gunners before joining Barca on reduced terms in order to secure the move.
