10 players Barcelona need to sell immediately

Barcelona are in disarray
Barcelona are in disarray

Barcelona are in disarray. Having already lost the La Liga title to arch-rivals Real Madrid, their season culminated in horrific fashion as they lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals on Friday night.

With manager Quique Setien set to be sacked and an ageing squad at their disposal, the Catalans face an uphill task of renovating their squad.

We look at 10 players Barcelona need to sell immediately.


10 players who Barcelona should sell immediately

#10 JORDI ALBA

Jordi Alba is a Barcelona youth product
Jordi Alba is a Barcelona youth product

Arguably one of the best left-backs in his prime, Jordi Alba has not been at his very best for some time now.

The Spain international continues to be the first-choice left-back for Barcelona, keeping younger options like Lucas Digne (now at Everton) and Junior Firpo on the bench. However, his performances have failed to justify the trust shown to him by his managers.

Having been bought from Valencia in 2012 for €14 million, it is fair to say that Alba has been a good player for the Catalan outfit. These days though, the 31-year-old looks worn out, exhausted and a shell of the player he once was. Barcelona need to sort out the position as soon as possible.


#9 LUIS SUAREZ

Luis Suarez scores a goal for Barcelona
Luis Suarez scores a goal for Barcelona

Hailed by many as one of the greatest strikers of the modern generation, Luis Suarez has been a faithful servant to Barcelona since joining the club.

Barcelona paid Liverpool €82 million for his signature in 2014, and the striker has not disappointed. Suarez formed a potent attacking partnership alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar at the club and continues to lead the line for Barcelona to this day.

Now 33 years of age, it is clear that the Uruguay international is in decline. He has lost the sharpness which made him so dangerous. While he still scored goals, he no longer has the influence that he once had. The former Ajax striker has made 283 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona so far, scoring 198 goals.


#8 ARTURO VIDAL

Arturo Vidal in action for Barcelona
Arturo Vidal in action for Barcelona

Another ageing star contracted to the Spanish giants, Arturo Vidal is a player who is still attracting interest from some clubs.

A combative midfielder in his prime with an eye for goal as well good defensive attributes, the Chile international enjoyed a good spell with Juventus and Bayern Munich. Barcelona paid €18 million to Bayern Munich in 2018 for him, and he has since been a regular fixture in the side.

However, the 33-year-old has failed to replicate his Juventus form at Barcelona. He has had some good moments but they are few and far between. Inter Milan and Inter Miami are said to be interested in the former Bayer Leverkusen man, and it makes for Barcelona sense to let him go.


Also Read: 5 defenders who have scored the most goals this season

#7 SERGI ROBERTO

Sergi Roberto has been a consistent presence for Barcelona
Sergi Roberto has been a consistent presence for Barcelona

Certain Barcelona fans are of the opinion that Sergi Roberto is a part of the Barcelona setup only because he is a La Masia graduate.

The 28-year-old could potentially be a fine squad player to have. Capable of playing in the midfield as well as at right-back, Roberto certainly has his uses. The fact that he starts almost every game for Barcelona is what rankles the fans. The Spain international is also rumoured to be a high earner at the club.

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City were linked with him recently but it is hard to imagine a move happening. With youngsters like Riqui Puig and Carles Alena waiting for a chance, it remains unlikely that Roberto will play such an important role come next season.


#6 JUNIOR FIRPO

Junior Firpo in Barcelona colours
Junior Firpo in Barcelona colours

A highly-rated youngster during his time at Real Betis, Junior Firpo's move to Barcelona hasn't really worked out.

Barcelona paid Real Betis €18 million for Firpo last summer, viewing him as competition to Jordi Alba for the left-back spot. The 23-year-old has, however, failed to dislodge the veteran Alba, starting only 11 La Liga games last season. Capable of playing as a left-winger as well, the Spain U21 international looks set to leave the club this summer.

His name has been linked with Inter Milan, in a deal which could see striker Lautaro Martinez come to Barcelona. Liverpool were said to be interested in him as well but have now signed Kostas Tsimikas.


#5 MARTIN BRAITHWAITE

Martin Braithwaite is free to leave Barcelona
Martin Braithwaite is free to leave Barcelona

A transfer which made little sense when it happened, Martin Braithwaite's short stint at Barcelona is likely to come to an end this summer.

In February this year, Barcelona triggered Braithwaite's release clause of €18 million, and he arrived from Leganes. The 29-year-old made just four starts in the league, making 11 appearances in total during which he scored one goal. It is now being reported that Braithwaite is free to leave the club.

The Denmark international has been suggested as a potential target for West Ham United, with Carlo Ancelotti's Everton also mooted as a destination for the forward.


#4 NELSON SEMEDO

Nelson Semedo's Barcelona spell has not gone according to plan
Nelson Semedo's Barcelona spell has not gone according to plan

Another player who was highly-rated by many, Nelson Semedo has had an inconsistent Barcelona spell, to say the least.

The Portugal international joined Barcelona from Benfica in 2017 for €30.5 million in 2017 and was seen as the heir to Dani Alves' throne at right-back. His performances though have been such that he has failed to nail down a first-team spot, rotating with Sergi Roberto.

The 26-year-old has been linked with some top European clubs in recent months. Manchester City, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have all been keeping an eye on Semedo, with Barcelona apparently willing to let go of him for the right offer.


Also Read: 10 players with the best minutes to goals ratio in the UEFA Champions League

#3 SAMUEL UMTITI

Samuel Umtiti's Barcelona career has been hindered by injuries
Samuel Umtiti's Barcelona career has been hindered by injuries

After Samuel Umtiti's fine first season with Barcelona, he was seen as the cornerstone of any future defence at the club.

That has not been the case. The France international failed to build on the excellent start to his Barcelona career, with injuries playing a major role in his subsequent decline. Barcelona paid Lyon €25 million for the 26-year-old's services in 2016, and it is hard to imagine them turning a profit if they were to sell him.

The centre-back looks to be on the market. With Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet the first-choice centre-back pairing, Umtiti's stock has never been lower. He has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United.


#2 IVAN RAKITIC

Ivan Rakitic is not a fan favourite at Barcelona
Ivan Rakitic is not a fan favourite at Barcelona

No Barcelona player has been as vilified in recent months as their long-serving midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

A vital component of the team which won the treble under Luis Enrique in 2015, Rakitic was the engine which ran the Barcelona midfield. In years gone by though, the Croatia international has been consistently criticised for his average performances, with many believing that he is blocking the path for the likes of Puig and Alena.

The 32-year-old looks set to depart the Camp Nou outfit this summer. Rakitic, who has made more than 300 appearances in all competitions for the club, has been linked with a return to Sevilla, with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also reported to be interested in him.


#1 PHILIPPE COUTINHO

Philippe Coutinho has been on loan at Bayern Munich this season
Philippe Coutinho has been on loan at Bayern Munich this season

Barcelona saw Philippe Coutinho as the heir to Andres Iniesta's throne and spent €160 million to bring him to Camp Nou from Liverpool.

In hindsight, it could not have gone worse. Coutinho never fit into Ernesto Valverde's system and failed to replicate his Liverpool form. He was loaned out to Bayern Munich last summer, and while he has been a good addition to the squad, it looks unlikely that Bayern will make the deal permanent.

The attacking midfielder looks set to return to a shambolic and dysfunctional Barcelona, against whom he scored two goals in Bayern's 8-2 win in the Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester City have been suggested as potential destinations.


Also Read: Top 10 players who have scored the most penalties in the 21st century

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh
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