The upcoming season for FC Barcelona is one where the Catalans are hoping to compete for every single title that they possibly can. To aid this objective, La Blaugrana hopes to assemble a formidable team to compete in the upcoming 2023/2024 season.
In order to do that however, Barcelona first need to offload players that are surplus to requirements on a sporting level and thus an unwanted liability on a financial level as well, as they become a hindrance to the best interests of the club.
Among these, according to information provided by SPORT, are five main players who would end up costing La Blaugrana upto €50 million in salary mass alone next season, a figure the Catalans can not afford to be paying out to players they do not even intend to have in their plans for next season.
The understanding at the moment is that Barcelona must decrease their substantial salary mass at the moment to at least €450 million, with it estimated to be around €530 million as of now, and the departures of these five players could allow the club to reduce it by another €50 million, which is significant progress in their goal towards €450 million.
Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti is speculated to be the player that would be the biggest hurdle for Barcelona in terms of a financial payout next season. The Frenchman is expected to be given €20 million over the next season as part of his deferred payments as he renewed until 2026. The club hopes to offload him under any circumstances.
Clement Lenglet
Next on the list is another French defender, Clement Lenglet, who is expected to be paid €16 million next season. However, it is expected that English side Tottenham Hotspur is willing to take him away.
Sergino Dest
Third is the American right-back currently on loan at AC Milan, Sergino Dest. Having impressed neither Barcelona nor the Italian outfit, it is difficult to find a suitor for the player who Barcelona will have to pay close to €10 million next season. The club hopes to at least find a suitable complete loan or at the very least a team willing to assume a percentage of the financial responsibility.
Alex Collado and Gustavo Maia
The final two are academy product Alex Collado, currently on loan at Elche, and subsidiary player Gustavo Maia, currently on loan at Valencia Mestalla. Both players together will end up costing Barcelona around €4.5 million next season, something they also wish to avoid.
