Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has confirmed that he has already communicated to several members of his first-team ranks that they are not part of the club’s plans moving forward.
All things transfer-related are of course expected to take their place front and centre at the Camp Nou over the course of the upcoming summer.
This comes with the aforementioned Xavi primed to oversee his first full-length window since securing a return to Catalunya.
On the arrivals front, a whole host of high-profile names, including the likes of Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie and Robert Lewandowski, are expected to make their way through the door.
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 23: Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on April 23, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
As alluded to above, though, it was the subject of potential departures which instead took centre stage in the latest press conference held by Barca’s boss on Saturday.
When drawn on whether or not he has informed the fringe members of his bloated squad who have been placed on the chopping block ahead of next season of their ‘for sale’ status, Xavi confirmed as much in explaining:
“Yes, I spoke with them and others.”
When it comes to individual players expected to be moved on, all of Riqui Puig, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza and Martin Braithwaite are named as being in line for Blaugrana departures by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Many players are prepared to leave Barcelona this summer. Xavi now confirms he’s spoken with some of them to communicate the intention to sell ??⤵️ #FCB
❌ Riqui Puig, Umtiti, Mingueza and Braithwaite are not in Barça plans.
Xavi confirms: “Yes, I spoke with them and others”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 21, 2022
Villarreal next up
Xavi’s squad comments of course come with Barcelona primed to bring their campaign to a definitive close in just over 24 hours’ time.
After battling back from a nightmare opening couple of months under the watch of ex-boss Ronald Koeman, the Catalans have gone on to secure an altogether impressive 2nd-placed finish, ahead of welcoming Unai Emery’s Villarreal to the Camp Nou on Sunday night.
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