Barcelona were beaten 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night – and Manchester United and Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong is one player who could be sold in the aftermath, according to reports.
The Catalan club had gone into their match with Bayern knowing they had already been consigned to playing in the Europa League.
Now, according to Sport, Barca are planning as many as seven exits this winter as they look to balance their finances and overhaul their squad.
One player who will be allowed to go is De Jong, who was linked with Manchester United and Chelsea back in the summer.
United agreed a fee with the Catalan titans for the Netherlands international, believed to be worth an overall £72million, only to switch their focus to Casemiro when it was clear De Jong wasn’t interested in coming.
With the player potentially being available in January, however, United and Chelsea may now capitalise on his situation.
Barcelona know they could potentially bank a big fee for the midfielder, who has blown hot and cold ever since his arrival from Ajax back in 2019.
So it seems as though De Jong’s days at the club are numbered, especially given how he’s struggled for regular action this term.
Barcelona are ready to offload Memphis Depay, with injuries hampering him this term, while veterans Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique have also been deemed surplus to requirements.
Sergio Busquets is primed to leave for free at the end of the season, having spent his whole career at the club so far.
And young duo Pablo Torre and Inaki Pena could leave on loan, with Barcelona preferring the duo to spend more time in La Liga so they can grow accustomed to regular first-team football.
It looks set to be a winter of change in Catalonia.
And Xavi is aware results must improve if he’s to remain Barcelona manager, particularly given how much backing he received back in the summer.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
