MX23RW : Thursday, December 26 02:01:51| >> :120:42786:42786:

Xavi 'tells Barcelona to offload six players'

Xavi 'tells Barcelona to offload six players'
© Reuters
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.

ID:489908:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7185:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Xavi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona coach Xavi on March 20, 2022
Read Next:
Five players left out of Xavi's Barcelona squad for pre-season tour
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!