Barça must speed up the ‘exit operation’. There are still too many players in the squad who don’t fit into Xavi’s plans. Neto, Umtiti, Riqui Puig and Braithwaite have not yet found a team and continue to train separately. But there are three other footballers that the Blaugrana club has put on the market and with whom it hopes to generate good income. These are Frenkie De Jong, Memphis and Dest. Barça needs to make room in the locker room for the new additions. And, of course, he needs to generate ‘fair play’ to register all the signings (for now, Christensen, Kessié, Koundé, Raphinha and Lewandowski, waiting for Marcos Alonso and Azpilicueta and, possibly, also Bernardo Silva) and the ‘ renewed’ Sergi Roberto and Dembélé. The League starts in two weeks and none of these seven players could play against Rayo if the third lever is not activated and transfers are prioritized.
Especially worrying is the situation of De Jong. The Dutch midfielder has no interest in leaving the Camp Nou, but Barça needs the money from his sale (around 80 million euros) and, above all, to save his huge salary. The club has been clear with De Jong: “You have to go.” And Xavi, too: “I don’t know if he’s going to stay”. The messages could not be more forceful. And although the Dutchman turns a deaf ear for the moment, the pressure will intensify in the coming hours. He will have to accept one of the two offers that he has on the table (Manchester United and Chelsea) or, otherwise, he will have to lower his current record a lot, but a lot. The countdown has started.
In similar circumstances are Memphis and Dest. The Blaugrana coach has already given the go-ahead for the transfer of both. They will not have minutes and, in addition, they can generate an important benefit. The exit, then, will be imminent. Because both have a market and there are teams interested in taking over their services. Something that, unfortunately, does not happen with Neto, Umtiti and Riqui Puig (Braithwaite does have a super offer from Arabia). The footballers separated by Xavi are reluctant to leave. Although they know that they will not have a leading role next season. The fact that the coach did not even take them on tour in the United States is a strong statement of intent. There is a month left to find a solution to these cases. But it would be a scandal if they stayed at Barça to get paid without playing. It would show your lack of professionalism.