What Barca will do on a very busy transfer deadline day
Robin Bairner
- 30 Aug 2021 21:06 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona’s transfer deadline day promises to be a very busy one, though not necessarily for reasons that will get fans excited.
The club’s well-publicised financial problems mean that they have spent much of the summer unsuccessfully trying to cut down their wage bill. Tuesday represents their last opportunity to achieve that and it may require drastic action.
As such, a great deal of action is expected at Camp Nou, with the vast majority of it allowing them to clear their squad out.
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Who will Barcelona get rid of?
The names who are set to leave Barcelona on Tuesday will come as no surprise, although it seems unlikely that they will be able to release Samuel Umtiti, who continues to stick to his line that he will remain with the club.
Ilaix Moriba, however, will leave. Barcelona have effectively lost their tug of war with the young star, who will move to RB Leipzig for a fee of €15m plus a possible €5m in bonuses. He will sign a five-year deal.
Another player who could depart is substitute goalkeeper Neto. Sport reports that he could make a switch to Villarreal, although an €8m fee could be a stumbling block for a player who arrived only two years ago for €26m.
Meanwhile, Barca could pick up a nice windfall when they offload Emerson to Tottenham in a deal that is now expected to take place, having materialised in the final days of the window. The Catalan press are talking up a fee of €23m plus a potential €7m in bonuses.
Miralem Pjanic is proving harder to shift in midfield, with a deal with Juventus not possible. However, there is an outside chance he could leave for Sevilla.
Finally, Riqui Puig is a player who could depart. Though loved by many Barcelona fans, he has not won over Ronald Koeman and could be set for a loan with no purchase option.
Any signings?
Barcelona’s delicate financial position means that any arrivals are likely to be few and far between.
Sport reports that Hector Bellerin of Arsenal has emerged as an option if Emerson is sold to Tottenham.
Bellerin is a former Barca youth player and his versatility is an asset that has attracted Koeman, who could even use him in midfield.
