Barcelona are reportedly keen to offload four fringe players in January to raise funds to materialize a long-awaited transfer
Barcelona have assembled a list of four players that will be allowed to leave Camp Nou in the upcoming January transfer window.
The Catalans let go of many of their first-team members last summer.
Star striker Luis Suarez switched over to Atletico Madrid, Ivan Rakitic returned to Sevilla, while Nelson Semedo moved to the Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Additionally, Arturo Vidal signed a two-year deal with Inter Milan, while Arthur Melo departed for Juventus as part of a swap deal that saw Miralem Pjanic join Barcelona.
Clearing the ranks has failed to bear fruits, as the ‘Blaugrana’ headed into the international break sitting eight in the La Liga table, nine points adrift of league-toppers Real Sociedad.
Well aware his team needs to undergo another overhaul, Ronald Koeman has already compiled a list of players that will be available for transfers.
‼️📰-@sport 🇪🇸 –
— 🥇BarçaLive24/7 (@BarcaLive24_7) November 16, 2020
💷 Barça will open the 'EXIT DOOR' to Samuel Umtiti, Junior Firpo, Matheus and Martin Braithwaite to make money and reduce the salary mass.
🗝 Braithwaite remains key to the addition of Memphis Depay in January.#fcblive 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/HvcAjw2VrI
As reported by Express Sport, Junior Firpo, Samuel Umtiti, Matheus Fernandes, and Martin Braithwaite are the quartet who are up for sale.
Firpo has struggled to establish himself as a permanent fixture at Barcelona since joining from Real Betis in the summer of 2019.
After making just 25 appearances in all competitions, the attacking-minded left-back could be on his way out of Catalonia.
Napoli and Inter Milan are reportedly interested in acquiring Firpo’s services in January, with Barcelona asking for around £18million to sanction the move.
Umtiti, who is closing in on recovering from a long-term knee injury, has fallen out of favor at Camp Nou.
With Koeman already crossing out the Frenchman’s name, a January transfer seems like a real possibility. Lyon and Arsenal are both credited with an interest in the experienced centre-back.
❗️| Inter will make an offer for Junior Firpo in January. The full-back is not getting enough play time under Koeman and a move would be good for the player. [sport] pic.twitter.com/vMOz6yD782
— Barçacentre Nepal (@BarcacentreN) November 9, 2020
Matheus Fernandes is tired of waiting for his first senior opportunity at the club. The 22-year-old midfielder arrived from Palmeiras this January but has yet to feature for Barcelona’s first team.
Last but not least, Martin Braithwaite is the player Barca will be looking to get rid of when the transfer window reopens for business.
Having joined as an emergency signing from Leganes earlier this year, the Danish forward has been nothing more than a bit-part player.
❗Depay does not hide his desire to come to Barça and has already agreed to a 4 year contract. He will pressure Lyon to accept an offer for 5-6M in January, but Barça have to sell players first. [MD] pic.twitter.com/Q9DGxr1PVS
— FC Barcelona Fans Nation (@fcbfn10) November 13, 2020
Only four La Liga starts under his belt clearly indicates what type of impact Braithwaite has had since teaming up with Lionel Messi and Co.
Despite his desire to see out his deal with the Spanish powerhouse, the 29-year-old is expected to make way for Memphis Depay.
Depay emerged as one of Koeman’s top priorities last summer, but a lack of funds prevented Barcelona from striking a deal with Lyon.
Things are likely to change this winter as the Netherlands star has less than ten months left on his contract at the Groupama Stadium.
