Xavi has left five first team players out of the squad for the club’s pre season tour as Barcelona look to sell as soon as possible.
The five players in question are goalkeeper Neto, striker Martin Braithwaite, midfielder Riqui Puig and defenders Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza.
According to Spanish news outlet Sport, Xavi is prepared to ‘force’ the likes of Neto, Umtiti and Braithwaite out of the door this summer as they are deemed surplus to requirements.
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Mundo Deportivo has reported that Mingueza and Puig, both graduates from Barcelona’s world famous youth academy are also destined for an exit.
However, it has also been said that Puig could sign a new deal but the club’s main objective is to find the 22-year-old a new club.
So far this summer, Barcelona have already parted ways with defender Clement Lenglet who was loaned out to Tottenham Hotspur, Dani Alves left the club after his contract expired and loanees Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong both returned to their parent clubs.
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In terms of incomings, they have successfully completed the free transfers of former Chelsea man Andreas Christensen and ex AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie. Earlier this week, it was announced that Leeds United winger Raphinha has also moved to the Nou Camp club, the Brazilian joined in a deal worth up to £55 million.
All three new signings are included in the travelling squad, as is Manchester United target, Frenkie de Jong.
The Old Trafford club have been trying to complete a deal for the Dutch midfielder for a long while. Although they have recently agreed a deal with Barcelona, they have made no progress in tempting De Jong to join the club.
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United boss Erik ten Hag has made it clear that De Jong is his top target for the summer, he sees the midfielder as the focal point of his plans at Old Trafford.
Despite the strong interest, it is believed that De Jong’s preference is to stay with the Catalan club. Another issue holding up the deal is the fact that Barcelona are yet to pay the Dutchman’s deferred wages, totalling €17 million.
This transfer saga looks set to drag on for the rest of the transfer window.
Bayern Munich star man Robert Lewandowski looks set to be the next signing made by Xavi, multiple reports have stated that a deal worth around €50 million has been agreed between the two parties.
Barcelona’s first match in the US will be against Inter Miami, on 20 July.
Marcus Chan