MX23RW : Wednesday, May 8 16:26:56| >> :60:164:164:

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:collect6878:

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
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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!