Barcelona have decided to sell six players in the summer due to their underperformance this season according to reports in Spain. Barcelona had a topsy-turvy campaign in the Champions League, the high of turning a four-goal deficit aginst PSG to the low of losing 3-0 on aggregate to Juventus in the quarter-finals.
That makes it two seasons in which Barcelona have not reached the Champions League semi-finals, something which is rare for the Blaugrana given their escapades in Europe in the last decade of the competition.
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The six players who reportedly have no future at Barcelona are as follows
#6 Arda Turan
The Turkish international’s stay at Barcelona will go down in history as one of the most bizarre transfer moves. Arda Turan signed for the Catalan giants in the summer of 2015, when Barcelona were banned from signing players and hence couldn’t be registered till the January transfer window.were banned from signing players and hence couldn’t be registered till the January transfer window.
In the last two seasons, he has just 36 appearances for the La Liga defending champions. When he has got the opportunity to play, the diminutive midfielder hasn’t been able to replicate the form he showed at Atletico Madrid.
With Arsenal rumoured to be interested, it might be the right time to cash in, given he is already on the wrong side of 30.rumoured to be interested, it might be the right time to cash in, given he is already on the wrong side of 30.
#5 Paco Alcacer
This was another bizarre transfer dealing by Barcelona in the summer. There were doubts whether Paco with his style of play would fit the system at Barcelona, and those doubts were answered this season.
In early April, the Spaniard said, “I'm happy to help the team in any way I can, the coach asked me to come off the bench and that's what I did. Any player in this squad must be prepared to go out and perform”, and that is not the kind of attitude you would expect a 23-year-old to have, leave alone a Barcelona player.
Given his age, Barcelona will get most of the €30 million they spent on the striker, and clubs in La Liga (and elsewhere) would be lining up for the striker.
#4 Andre Gomes
Since winning the European championships with Portugal things have gone downhill for the international. He has been the proverbial scapegoat for the most humiliating of losses, and apparently Lionel Messi doesn’t fancy the 23-year-old.
However, Luis Enrique has come out in support of the Portuguese international repeatedly, and most recently after the win against Osasuna. “Andre has humongous potential, I can and will say that 1000 times over, even if he is criticised a lot. He can play in different positions ... he's only using 30 percent of his capacity. Imagine him at 100 percent” said his manager.
But unfortunately for the midfielder, Luis Enrique is leaving in the summer.
#3 Aleix Vidal
It is safe to say that Aleix Vidal isn’t the long term replacement for Dani Alves. Barcelona are in the market for a right back, and the likes of Joao Cancelo and Serge Aurier have been linked with moves to the Catalonia.
The right back has been unfortunate with injuries, but even when he was fit, Luis Enrique decided to play Sergi Roberto in front of the Spain international. Given, Sergi’s a midfielder by trade, it is a damning indictment to where he stands in the Barcelona hierarchy.
After the summer transfer window, he is likely to be the third choice for the position.
#2 Jeremy Mathieu
“Mathieu got took off at half-time. He had an absolute nightmare first 45 minutes, we’re wondering how he’s wearing the Barcelona shirt. He’s miles off it”, said Liverpool legend Steven Gerard after his poor showing in the first half at the Juventus stadium which ultimately cost Barcelona their Champions League campaign.
Now 33-years-old, he is not fit to be a first choice at either centerback or left-back for a team challenging for the La Liga, leave alone Champions League. Whoever is the new manager, it is likely that Mathieu will be leaving in the summer.
#1 Marc-André ter Stegen
The most surprising name on the list is undoubtedly Marc-André ter Stegen, given that he is the first choice at Barcelona and has had 42 appearances this season in all competitions. However, Barcelona are reportedly looking for a more reliable alternative with Manchester United interested in the German.
Also Read: Reports: Barcelona agree on €60 million move for ex-Real Madrid superstar
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked, but this is the only name unlikely to leave of the six. Watch this space.
