FC Barcelona continue their tussle with the restrictions of Financial Fair Play and are constantly considering new alternatives to rectify the issue. In a bunch of recent reports regarding transfer updates, the sale of three unlikely defenders, in particular, could pave the way for Barcelona to generate additional income.
Sergino Dest:
The 22-year-old American fullback is currently on loan at Serie A side AC Milan. While Barca had initially hoped that this loan would allow the American defender to flourish in an environment that is currently under less sporting pressure than the hotpot of Barcelona at the moment, it has not turned out too smooth for neither player nor his parent club.
Out of prominence at the Italian club, his deployment under Stefano Pioli has seen quite low numbers in terms of minutes. Expected to return to the Catalan club of FC Barcelona following the end of his loan spell in the summer, with Milan not interested in retaining his services, the options for a sale are limited.
Despite this, reports from SPORT suggest interest from an unlikely source. Bundesliga side Union Berlin are reportedly interested in the fullback and could make a claim on acquiring his services at some point. Barcelona would be willing to let go of Dest for a transfer fee of around €8-10 million, which still would remain a much lower fee than the figure of around €25 million Barcelona paid to Ajax for his services in 2020.
Clement Lenglet:
As recently reported by the likes of Mundo Deportivo, Lenglet has managed to impress the higher-ups at Tottenham Hotspur, where he is currently playing out his loan, to a degree where they would be willing to permanently sign him.
Despite not having a predetermined option to buy clause in his current loan that expires in the summer, Spurs management believe his attitude to be exemplary and his gameplay to be reliable, as well as the fact that the market for left-footed central defenders is quite strained in terms of good quality players. These various factors could potentially persuade Spurs to pursue his permanent signing. Barcelona would be asking for a reported €14-15 million for his transfer should the scenario arise.
Samuel Umtiti:
Lastly, the French defender that Barcelona were finding difficulties in both relieving of his duties as well as even finding a club willing to take him on loan, is also now an asset that the club can sell for additional income.
His loan spell at Serie A side Lecce has gone well beyond Barcelona’s initial expectations from the move, as the player’s solid displays for the side have put him right back into the realms of European interest.
Barcelona would now be willing to let go of the Frenchman to any potential buyer for a fee in the region of €3-5 million. Although Lecce would be interested in acquiring the Frenchman, it is now beyond their financial capabilities to acquire him in accordance to Barcelona’s demands. Their only possibility would be another loan, but the Catalans seem more inclined to cash in on his recent performances this season.
While €30 million may not seem like that significant of a figure for the departure of three players, it helps Barcelona to a degree in the grand scheme of things. By allowing them not only to acquire potential transfer fees, but also allowing them to have reductions in the salary mass courtesy of these departures. Moreover, none of the three players in question are in Xavi’s plans for the future, and Barcelona are well equipped in those defensive channels with players of a comparatively higher caliber as well.
