You would not be the only football fan in the world that was left scratching their heads regarding the business that FC Barcelona has been able to conduct this summer.
Indeed, their financial plight is well-documented, and it is something that has had many concerned, with it rumored that some teams are not quite prepared to accept deals without receiving all the money upfront, rather than in installments because of the concerns there are said to be about the iconic club’s status within the game.
Nonetheless, it does not appear to have stopped the Catalans from enjoying a huge amount of success in the transfer market this summer. In the winter, they had managed to bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and this summer, they have managed to add Franck Kessie, and Andreas Christensen (admittedly both on a free), while also signing the likes of Raphiniha and Robert Lewandowski as well as agreeing new deals with players already at the club.
Of course, while it is unlikely that the club had managed to raise the funds while playing a range of top games on an casino online, the club has had to work hard to move some players off the books, with individuals such as Frenkie de Jong perhaps being one possible exit. However, that looks a little harder to do than they may have hoped, as FC Barcelona are yet to pay the Dutchman’s deferred wages, totaling €17 million.
Nonetheless, it seems Xavi also has another five members of the playing squad that he would be happy enough to see leave this summer and potentially raise funds for the club. Indeed, the biggest clue that they are no longer deemed required by the manager – an ex-FC Barcelona legend – is the fact that they were not part of the pre-season party that had headed to the United States of America recently.
The five players to have been left out of the squad and potentially out of the Camp Nou door is goalkeeper Neto, striker Martin Braithwaite, midfielder Riqui Puig and defenders Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza.
It has been claimed that the three senior players of the five – Neto, Umtiti, and Braithwaite – could be forced out of the club by Xavi, as he no longer wants them at the club and does not see any value in keeping them around.
The two younger players – both graduates of the famed La Masia academy – are thought to be available to leave too if offers come in for them, although it is not believed that the manager will be pressing to get rid of them as much as he is understood to be for the aforementioned trio.
Of course, there are a couple of names to have already had their name taken off the door at the Camp Nou already, with Clement Lenglet who has moved to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on a loan deal, while Dani Alves has left the club for the second time in his career after his contract once again had expired without being renewed.
Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong have had their temporary spells come to an end without being converted into a permanent stay, either.
It will certainly be interesting to see what happens throughout the course of the summer transfer window for FC Barcelona, as you do have to feel that there is still plenty that can happen, and it would be hard to be surprised with whatever does.
Nonetheless, fans of the club will likely be able to see several their favorite players and some of the newest stars compete on the field on July 20 when they take to the pitch against Inter Miami.
