"Not necessary" - Joan Laporta provides major Barcelona transfer update

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has firmly denied suggestions that his club will be forced into selling some of their key players during this summer's transfer window.

The Catalan outfit are expected to be active in the upcoming market, but their well-documented financial situation had led to claims that some important players might have to leave.

Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha are among those being linked with exits, with all three capable of commanding huge price-tags in the current market.

However, Laporta has said that Barcelona have successfully increased their income to a point where it will 'not be necessary' to make a major sale during the summer market.

"It is not necessary to make a big sale. We have increased our income. We are close to resolving a situation that gave us fair play last year," he said on the President's Podcast on Barca One.

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Araujo's future remains the subject of speculation

Despite Laporta insisting that Barcelona will not be forced into making a big sale, there is currently widespread speculation surrounding Araujo's future at Camp Nou.

The Uruguay international is viewed by the Catalan side as a key player, but he is believed to be stalling on a potential new contract with the club.

Araujo has another two years left to run on his deal, and Manchester United and Bayern Munich are believed to be keeping a close eye on the centre-back's situation.

Laporta also revealed that his club are in discussions over keeping Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, with the pair spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan from Manchester City and Atletico Madrid respectively.

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Kounde, Martinez set to stay at Camp Nou

Meanwhile, an exit for Robert Lewandowski has also been ruled out, with the Poland international set to stay despite suggestions of strong interest from Saudi Arabia.

Jules Kounde and Inigo Martinez are two more players to be linked with moves away from Barcelona, but Laporta has also revealed that the club are planning to keep hold of the duo.

Meanwhile, Sergi Roberto is seemingly in line for a contract extension, with the Spaniard's existing deal at Camp Nou due to expire at the end of this month.

"We also have Kounde, who has had an extraordinary season. We have Inigo Martinez. We have [Alejandro] Balde and Gavi back. We have Sergi Roberto. The intention is to keep them all and it is also [Hansi] Flick's intention," Laporta added.

Barcelona finished second behind Real Madrid in La Liga last season, while they made the quarter-finals of both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.