Transfer Centre

Xavi 'tells Barcelona to offload six players'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 12 July 2022

Barcelona boss Xavi reportedly identifies six players he wants the club to sell this summer, including Memphis Depay and Samuel Umtiti.

Xavi has reportedly informed Barcelona chiefs that he is hoping to offload six unwanted players before the transfer window shuts.

La Blaugrana are yet to make a big-money signing this summer amid their financial woes but have welcomed Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen to the club on free transfers.

Pablo Torre has also joined in a £4.2m move from Racing Santander, but the club could be about to strike a £57.5m deal for Leeds United attacker Raphinha.

In order to raise the necessary funds for the 25-year-old's transfer, Barcelona have apparently now decided to sell Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United for a total package of £72m.

De Jong is said to have been left 'disgusted' with Barcelona's behaviour during the long-running transfer saga after manager Xavi informed him of the club's decision via a phone call.

Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on April 18, 2022 © Reuters

As well as De Jong, Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong have left following the conclusion of their loan spells, while Dani Alves is once again a free agent after his contract expired.

Ferran Jutgla and Rey Manaj have also secured permanent moves to Club Brugge and Watford respectively, and the club have also allowed Clement Lenglet to join Tottenham Hotspur on loan.

One report from Spanish outlet Sport claims that a trio of out-of-favour players in Neto, Martin Braithwaite and Samuel Umtiti are the next names on the chopping block.

Neto spent the 2021-22 season playing second fiddle to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, while Umtiti, who signed a new contract until 2026 to help ease Barca's financial burden, only made one appearance last term.

Meanwhile, Braithwaite has largely failed to make an impression at Camp Nou after arriving as an emergency signing in 2020, and he would fall further down the pecking order if Robert Lewandowski joins the club.

FC Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti, December 18, 2021 © Reuters

The outlet also claims that fellow attacker Memphis Depay could potentially head elsewhere this summer, with the Dutchman falling out of favour under Xavi in the second half of last season.

Depay only has a year left to run on his Barcelona contract and will leave if he is guaranteed regular football elsewhere, but his preference is to remain in Catalonia.

A separate report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Oscar Mingueza and Riqui Puig are also facing the axe after being left out of Barcelona's pre-season tour squad.

As well as bringing Raphinha to the club, Barcelona could also wrap up a £42.3m deal for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski at some point this week.

Xavi's side begin their pre-season programme with Wednesday evening's clash against fifth-tier side UE Olot before a trip to the United States to meet Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Juventus and New York Red Bulls.

La Blaugrana will then play UNAM in the Joan Gamper Trophy before beginning their La Liga season against Rayo Vallecano on August 13.