5 players who need to leave Barcelona this summer
- Barcelona need to raise funds through player sales once again this summer
- Catalan giants have been linked with moves for Nico Williams and Dani Olmo
- Ansu Fati and Raphinha among the stars linked with moves away
The transfer rumours mill continues to link Barcelona with every footballer under the sun, but once again only a select few are likely to get the chance to relocate to Catalonia this summer.
Nico Williams and Dani Olmo are dream signings ahead of Hansi Flick's first season in charge as manager, but any funds the German wishes to have at his disposal will need to be bolstered by sales over the next few months.
The Catalan giants are in dire need of a few big transfer fees to boost their finances, but which players should they be looking to move on to create space for new arrivals?
Here are five players who need to leave Barcelona this summer.
Ansu Fati
A handful of Barca players have had their career prospects weakened by significant injuries in recent years, with the workload placed on young stars often detrimental to their long-term health.
While Pedri is the obvious example, 21-year-old Ansu Fati is another youngster who has struggled thus far to back up his initial promise due to knock after knock.
The winger spent last season on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion and again had fitness troubles, making a total of 27 appearances in all competitions. Barca may not be able to command the stratospheric fee they might have demanded four years ago upon his emergence, but a chunky offer could be enough to persuade the club to let Fati leave.
Raphinha
Raphinha impressed at Leeds United to earn a £50m transfer to Barca in 2022 and seemed like an obvious fit for a club so renowned for its intricate and beautiful football.
However, fast forward a couple of seasons and the Brazil international is consistently linked with a departure from Catalonia, with the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa keen to bring him back to England.
Barca would be unlikely to recoup the £50m they forked out for the 27-year-old and Raphinha has regularly signalled his desire to remain at the club, but an exit could offer him the chance to start afresh after a couple of middling seasons.
Clement Lenglet
Clement Lenglet did enough in two seasons at Sevilla to convince Barca to trigger his €35m release clause in 2018. However, the Frenchman has often looked like a weak link and is certainly below the quality of current options Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde.
A loan to Tottenham Hotspur did little to boost his standing around Europe, while he found himself below Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa in the pecking order at Aston Villa last season.
Unai Emery passed up the chance to sign Lenglet for their return to the Champions League next season and where the central defender goes from his remains to be seen.
Oriol Romeu
Crunching midfielder Oriol Romeu established himself in the Premier League at Southampton before swapping the English south coast for Girona in Spain.
He soon found himself back at Barca, having joined their youth ranks in 2004, but the emergence of other midfield stars means Flick may not have much use for the 32-year-old this season.
Romeu could still remain for the upcoming campaign as a squad option, but any offer Barca receive must be taken seriously.
Eric Garcia
Another central defender who could be consigned to the Barca scrapheap this summer is Eric Garcia.
A free arrival in 2021 after leaving Manchester City, the 23-year-old has done little to suggest any club will ever come close to triggering the €400m release clause that featured in his five-year contract.
Instead, he spent last term on loan at Girona, scoring five La Liga goals from central defence, and is one player Barca may be able to cash in on after a decent campaign.
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