As the current season is close to its conclusion, the summer plans of FC Barcelona and other clubs across Europe are becoming increasingly identifiable. In addition to working on several incoming transfers, the Catalan club is also looking to shed some weight from its wage bill and solve their Financial Fair Play problems by moving on some of its high-profile names.
As reported by Veronica Brunati, the six players that the club is actively looking to move on this summer are:
Franck Kessie:
Kessie joined the club only last summer but has been unable to lock a starting spot in the team. Still, he has been influential in some of his appearances in the last few months. However, having their midfield packed and the possible arrival of İlkay Gündoğan, the Catalans are looking to offload Kessie while his value is still high.
The player wants to stay in Barcelona but can be a part of a swap deal, most probably with Inter or Juventus. Premier League clubs have also shown interest in the Ivorian midfielder and his transfer can bail out Barcelona to cope with FFP regulations.
Ferran Torres:
Torres is another player who has joined the club recently but has been unable to impress Xavi enough to warrant a spot in the first eleven. His form has been hot and cold throughout his time at Camp Nou, and the club is aware that his value is declining with time.
As a result, the Blaugranes are looking for possible options to move him next summer. However, Torres wants to stay at Barcelona and prove himself.
Ansu Fati:
Having been seen as the successor of Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, Ansu Fati’s career has not gone according to the promise it showed in its initial days. Injuries ruined the early momentum he had gained, and while he has now gotten over these injuries, Fati is now struggling for form.
Still, his talent and potential cannot be doubted, and FC Barcelona are trying to sell the player while his value is still high. Fati wants to remain with the club, but Barcelona are tempted to sell him because he is still a valuable player in the squad that is not essential for the team.
Eric Garcia:
Like other players on this list, Eric Garcia has also struggled to get significant time on the pitch this season, as the starting defensive line has been almost perfect. As a result, he is also being considered by the club as a potentially sellable asset, but his sale is not that high on the agenda.
The club would work on his sale only if a particularly tempting offer comes in or other outgoing operations do not go as planned.
Raphinha
The Brazilian also arrived at Barcelona last summer and has been a mainstay in the starting lineup in the absence of Ousmane Dembele. However, He has been rather inconsistent in his form, and Dembele’s return would somewhat decrease his importance in the squad.
As a result, while not actually prioritizing a sale, the club can endorse his sale if a good offer comes in, with Premier League clubs having shown an interest in him.
Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba has been mostly a fringe player this season, especially due to the form and performances of Alejandro Balde. The club believes that the veteran fullback is past his prime and is looking to him to move on to make some much-needed space in their wage bill. However, the player intends to remain with the club, and his age and demands can make a sale very difficult.
While moving players like Fati and Torres on might not be the most favorable decision for the club from a sporting or business perspective, they might be forced into these deals because of the FFP sword hanging on their heads. Furthermore, a potential sale of one of these players can allow the club to invest in more pressing needs of the squad, allowing Barcelona to again compete for domestic and European glory next season.
