Memphis and Umtiti edge closer to Barcelona transfers

FT Desk

• 21 Aug 2022 02:35 CDT
• 3 min read

Barcelona should be able to register Jules Kounde this week with Memphis Depay and Samuel Umtiti having found new clubs.

Barca spent more than €160 million on the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde this summer whilst picking up Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie on free transfers.

The also re-signed Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto after their contracts had expired at the Camp Nou.

But with the club slowly emerging from its plus €1 billion debt through the activation of "financial levers" - the sale of a percentage of future revenues set against liquid capital now - they have registered six of the seven new players.

Kounde has thus far been the exception, his fitness ahead of the new season making it sensible to leave him out.

"He has trained very well," explained Xavi ahead of Barca's trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday. "I see him in good spirits, but we need to sell players to be able to register him."

Memphis and Umtiti look increasingly likely to be the next two players out the door following Philippe Coutinho's €20m permanent transfer to Aston Villa, with a pair of Serie A clubs set to sign them.

Serie A destinations

According to Sky Sports' Gianluca Di Marzio, Depay's agent is in Italy to agree a two-year deal with Juventus. Once that is signed, the Dutchman will be allowed to walk away from his existing contract which has another year to run.

Umtiti, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, is taking a bigger hit in footballing terms in joining Lecce. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the centre-back's salary will still be paid by Barca, but the club will receive add-ons as the season progresses.

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A third Barca player, Pierre-Emerick Aubeyang, is nearing a move to Chelsea, meanwhile.

None of the above moves are likely to be completed in time for the Sociedad game, but Kounde could make his competitive Blaugrana debut against Real Valladolid next Sunday.

Barca play Manchester City in a friendly at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening, in which Kounde's official registration is not required.