A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered an update on Barcelona’s pursuit of Lionel Messi, suggesting that the club are actively looking for avenues where they can reduce their salary mass and generate fresh income.
The objective for the club is to meet La Liga’s Financial Fair Play demands. As part of their plans, the club have already sought out the possibility of normalising the relationship with La Liga president Javier Tebas.
But as per the recent report from MD, Barça remain heavily reliant on player sales, as they look to reduce the cost of the workforce. Among the players who could be considered for a sale include Ferran Torres and Raphinha.
Midfielder Franck Kessie has also been included on the list despite emerging as one of Barça’s most improved players since the turn of the year. Other inclusions on the list are the two defenders in Marcos Alonso and Eric Garcia.
Barcelona considering a sale of Torres is hardly surprising as the forward has struggled with a lack of productivity since joining from Manchester City. Although he has still continued to play a role in the first team, the club see it viable to sanction his sale.
Garcia and Alonso, too, have lost prominence in the first-team and hardly gained regular minutes under Xavi this season. Although recent reports suggest the coaching staff rates Garcia quite highly, Barça are not averse to a sale if they receive a good offer.
As for Kessie, even though he has had some good displays in the second half of the season, he has not nailed down a starting berth. And with chances of Ilkay Gundogan being signed, his situation will only get more difficult.
Raphinha has done well at the club since arriving, but he is generating plenty of interest from England and could help generate a lot of income, with reports suggesting that Newcastle United are offering €80 million for him.
However, a sticking point for the Blaugrana could be the fact that the majority of these five players have no intention of leaving the club. Barça, therefore, will be solely reliant on the fact that they leave on their own accord after learning their lack of prominence in Xavi’s plans.
