Barcelona will reportedly allow eight first team players to leave the club this summer as they look to raise funds for Leeds United winger Raphinha. That is according to AS, who claim that Neto, Sergi Roberto, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza, Riqui Puig, Luuk de Jong and Martin Braithwaite will be pushed towards the exit door by Barca.
The Catalan outfit are very keen on a summer move for Whites talisman Raphinha and as per reports, are in advanced talks with his agent Deco over personal terms. The reported asking price of around £60 million will be the biggest stumbling block for Barcelona to complete a deal as they continue to monitor their finances carefully.
Following his appointment in November, Xavi Hernandez has overseen a drastic improvement in Barcelona’s fortunes on the pitch – taking them from mid-table to third place in La Liga. Xavi brought in the likes of Ferran Torres, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore in January to aid his rebuild and they are likely to be equally as busy this summer.
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On top of Raphinha, Barcelona are reportedly eyeing AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie, while Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are likely to move to the Camp Nou on free transfers. Due to the cost of the deal, Raphinha would be Barcelona’s marquee signing of the summer, though their ability to complete the transfer is likely to depend on how efficiently they move on the aforementioned eight players.
Centre back Mingueza is one who they are happy to let go in the upcoming transfer window and has already been linked with a move to Leeds as a make-weight in the deal for Raphinha.
