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Barcelona planning significant summer exodus

By Ernesto Hernandez

Raphinha (L) and Sergio Busquets react at the end of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 5, 2023. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Raphinha (L) and Sergio Busquets react at the end of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 5, 2023. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Joan Laporta looks on alongside Miquel Iceta, Minister of Culture and Sports of Spain, prior to the Copa Del Rey Semi Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on April 05, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Joan Laporta looks on alongside Miquel Iceta, Minister of Culture and Sports of Spain, prior to the Copa Del Rey Semi Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on April 05, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) /

One of the obvious conclusions stemming from Barcelona’s 4-0 defeat in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Madrid was their lack of quality depth.

With the absences of Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen, alongside Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé, Xavi had to resort to playing Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso. Both were exposed by Real Madrid’s counterattacks in the second half.

The players Xavi used to cover the absences were simply not up to task. Finding better depth, or starters, was always the plan despite the loss. However, they are keenly aware that their financial situation and the wage limit stand in the way of their objectives.

In order to acquire the reinforcements they want, Diario Sport are reporting that Barcelona is planning to raise €120 million through player sales. Furthermore, only Abde is expected to come back from loan and have a place in the team.

To reach their objective, Barcelona is going to need to sell a number of players if their intention is not to lose one of their current pillars.

For argument’s sake, these are the players who are likely, or could be, on their way out at the end along with how much they could hypothetically get in a transfer fee.

  • Ferran Torres (€30 million)
  • Raphinha (€40 million)
  • Eric Garcia (€5 million)
  • Lenglet (€15 million)
  • Umtiti (€10 million)
  • Collado (€2 million)
  • Jordi Alba (€5 million)
  • Dest (€15 million)

While I am being generous on some of these figures, it is not out of the realm of possibility Barcelona could get those amounts should those players be on the market. Raphinha had had a decent season and there were rumors Arsenal were interested during the winter transfer window. Tottenham were also reportedly interested in making Lenglet’s loan permanent.

The rest are toss-ups and they’ve have to find clubs interested in making a move. Barcelona may be planning on offering Alba an extension to spread his wages out but with Alejandro Balde the present and future, a move away could be the best thing for both sides.

It cannot be ruled out someone like Ansu Fati or Andreas Christensen are moved on as there is going to be a number of suitors. The former still has plenty of promise and a change of scenery might be what he needs. As for the latter, he’s had an outstanding debut season and garnered the attention of elite teams around Europe. Barcelona would rather hold on to him but they may be forced to sell to facilitate strengthening other areas on the pitch.

Next. Suspensions overshadow Matchday 14 as stretch run continues. dark

Barcelona look headed for another busy summer. They’ve likely run out of levers to pull and might be faced with a harsh reality. With their embarrassing exits out of Europe and the Copa del Rey, what they cannot afford is another humiliation next season as it would be damaging both in a sporting and financial sense.

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