Barcelona have pulled off some of the best deals in recent transfer windows including the acquisitions of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and most recently Ilkay Gundogan. However, all is not well at the back end.
Despite doing well in the market, the Catalans’ economic situation is far from fixed. There is indeed a tangible improvement through the numerous damage repair moves made by Joan Laporta, but there is an equally long way to go.
One of the primary objectives on that front is reducing the wage cap. Barcelona’s salary allotment stood at a whopping €656 million last year and has been brought down by over €120 million so far. However, the goal ahead of the 2023-24 campaign is to bring it under €450 million.
According to reports from SPORT, the new economic term officially begins on Friday. Barcelona hope to complete the sales of Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Sergino Dest and Alex Collado by then.
All four stars played away from the Spotify Camp Nou last season and have no role in Xavi Hernandez’s plans. Yet, they receive a significant part of their wages from Barcelona and it is the club’s priority to get them off the books.
Lenglet played for Tottenham Hotspur last season, and the Premier League side are negotiating with Barcelona to sign him on a permanent deal. Laporta asks €10 million for the centre-back, and talks are expected to continue swiftly this week.
Meanwhile, there is solid interest from Ligue 1 for the team’s other French defender, Samuel Umtiti. Olympique Lyon are said to be the party closest to signing him after his impressive loan spell at Lecce.
The situation with Dest and Collado is more uncertain. Both youngsters do not have any firm offers on the table, and it remains to be seen how the administration approaches their departures.
