As previously noted, FC Barcelona has pinpointed essential areas in their squad that require bolstering.
The club’s sporting department, under the leadership of director Deco, has also outlined potential targets for these key positions.
However, in parallel, Barça must reduce their wage expenditures by offloading players who do not fit into the team’s plans, presenting a significant challenge for Deco.
Resistance to Leaving
According to SPORT, a major obstacle Deco faces is that none of the players want to leave Barcelona.
In order to decrease the wage bill and generate revenue, sales or loan deals are necessary; yet, currently, all players are hoping for another opportunity to prove themselves, despite the sporting department having a clear plan regarding who should stay and who should go.
Tough Choices Ahead
The first decision made by Deco and his team is that none of the players currently on loan will be reintegrated into the squad, although there might be an exception for a goalkeeper.
The loaned players include Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is formally on loan at Girona, Inaki Pena, Aron Yaakobishvili, Ansu Fati, and Hector Fort.
One of these goalkeepers may remain if Szczesny departs and there is no opportunity to acquire a backup, but currently, the intention is for them all to be transferred.
Many players are reluctant to leave Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Ansu Fati’s situation is particularly complicated as Monaco has yet to make a definitive decision on his future, while Fort may be sold or included in a different transaction.
Currently, among the players whose contracts are nearing expiration, neither Lewandowski nor Christensen are guaranteed to stay, and there is a desire for both to leave despite receiving contract extension offers.
Discussions with the defender are ongoing, but no agreement has been reached yet, making it likely that the Dane will choose one of the offers available and continue his career elsewhere.
In the meantime, Barcelona aims to create revenue through a major sale that won’t disrupt the team’s core too significantly.
Marc Casado is a clear candidate for sale, given his limited playing time, and the club is also open to offers for Alejandro Balde. However, neither player has shown any inclination to leave, despite interest from various clubs, particularly in the midfielder’s case.
Both players are represented by Jorge Mendes, who is keenly aware of the club’s need to raise funds,, among other reasons, to secure Joao Cancelo on a permanent basis.
Barcelona has not yet initiated any steps to facilitate player departures. All discussions have been delayed until they secure the league title, but subsequent to that, changes are expected.
This time, the club intends to be resolute: there isn’t enough space for everyone, and both cost-saving measures and income generation are imperative.