The Catalans are desperately looking to balance their books due to the financial mess. Not to forget, the Blaugrana is currently undergoing a transition as they look to reclaim the La Liga title and pose a serious threat to the UEFA Champions League, just like they have done all these years.
First up is the French international Antoine Griezmann. The striker had a superb 2021 with the former La Liga champions and was considered to be an ‘untouchable’ at the start of the summer window. However, the recent developments have forced Barcelona to rethink their transfer strategy as they look to lighten their wage bill. It is understood that the Blaugrana need to trim down their wage budget before they can make any new additions.
With no Lionel Messi in the ranks, Griezmann is the highest earner at Barcelona, as it stands. According to Sky Sports, Griezmann is likely to be offloaded this summer, and the Saul-Griezmann swap deal was being explored by Atletico Madrid and Barca. However, the talks have died down as the clubs could not reach an agreement.
The possibility of Griezmann staying at Barcelona is also very high, and it remains to be seen if Barcelona are desperate to sell him. Very few teams can afford the 30-year-old’s heavy wages and the player isn’t interested in a move to the Premier League. The World Cup winner was also linked with a move to Juventus, but with the Serie A Champions struggling financially themselves, a move to Turin is unlikely to take place for the former Atleti striker, as per Sky Sports Italia.
Ousmane Dembele could follow his French teammate. The 24-year-old has failed to live up to his £100 million price-tag expectations but the club still count on him, however. Dembele is still young and could lead the team to great things. Barcelona are currently in talks with Dembele to extend his stay at the club. Should the Frenchman decline, he will be sold this summer.
Philippe Coutinho is likely to be sold this summer as the Brazilian has failed to live up to his expectations as well. However, if he is not sold, Ronald Koeman could likely to count on him next term.
Clement Lenglet is another Frenchman who had a very disappointing season last term. It is understood that the board wants to keep Lenglet but is likely to offload him should a suitable offer arrive. Lenglet is one of the highest earners in Barcelona.
Samuel Umtiti is also on the market, and Barcelona are currently looking to offload him. Still, the Frenchman is insistent on staying and proving his worth, which has made the situation a bit tricky.
Miralem Pjanic is another big name at the club, who is likely to leave this summer, having made only 19 appearances last season under Ronald Koeman. The former Juventus man is being linked with a move back to the Bianconeri as a part of a loan deal with the newly appointed manager in Massimilano Allegri looking to bring him back. Pjanic’s impressive run under Allegri at Juve tempted the Catalans to swap Arthur Melo with Pjanic last year.
Martin Braithwaite is another player who could move this summer, following an impressive Euro 2020 that saw his value increase by a decent margin. However, numerous reports indicate that he wants to stay despite the club looking to offload him. If a move for him is not possible this summer, he will be asked to take a pay cut.
The club veterans in Sergio Busquets, Seri Roberto, Jordi Alba, and Gerard Pique are also likely to be asked to follow in Messi’s footsteps and take a pay-cut to help the club recover financially. Moreover, the upcoming term could be the last in Barcelona colors for Busquets and Pique, owing to their age and the club’s desire to groom the younger crop of players for the future.
Sky Sports also understands that Emerson Royal, Moussa Wague, and Neto are also on the market. Emerson is likely to be given one season to prove his worth. The same cannot be said for Neto, who is currently looking for a club that would guarantee him minutes.
