Barcelona manager Xavi is set to mercilessly axe three of his own players if the club secure the signing of Raphinha and re-sign Ousmane Dembele, according to Mundo Deportivo . The Spanish giants have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian winger, who has remained in the UK as the rest of Jesse Marsch’s squad fly to Australia for pre-season.
Barca have already been busy in the window, despite their dire financial situation, bringing in AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie and Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen - both as free agents. They also want to bring in Raphinha and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Their bid for the Whites winger was thought to rest on the contractual situation of Dembele, who is technically a free agent after his deal ran out on June 30, but the Frenchman looks likely to sign a new deal at the Camp Nou. That is not thought to affect Barcelona’s pursuit of Raphinha, with the 25-year-old reportedly expected in Catalonia next week to finalise a deal.
