Barcelona boss Xavi has ruthlessly told four first-team stars to skip pre-season training as the Catalans attempt to kick-off a summer exodus.
The Spanish giants have long been struggling with their financing - something that saw them let go of iconic forward Lionel Messi last summer. Despite having facilitated a number of sales in the past 12 months - and having raised a reported £176m due to a sale of 10% of their TV rights - the financial situation at the Camp Nou is still worrying.
That could lead to a number of established faces departing the club this summer with Xavi seemingly having made the decision over a number of his current squad.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the legendary former midfielder has told academy stars Oscar Mingueza and Riqui Puig to not attend pre-season training with the duo now not in his plans. The former - a defender - only made 14 appearances for Barcelona last term following Xavi’s arrival, whilst Puig was limited to just 12 outings.
The pair are both out of contract at the end of next season so Barcelona will certainly be keen on selling whilst they can still recoup fees for them as opposed to losing them for free in just 12 months’ time.
Elsewhere, defender Samuel Umtiti is also among those who could be set to depart Catalunya sooner rather than later. The French defender arrived at the club from Lyon back in 2016 but a succession of injuries have hampered the last four seasons.
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He was expected to leave next summer but surprisingly penned a new four-year deal in January until 2026 with a reduction in part of his wages as the Spanish giants attempted to register former Manchester City man Ferran Torres.
The final player told that his future lies away from the Camp Nou is former Middlesbrough frontman Martin Braithwaite. The Danish striker, 31, arrived from Leganes mid-way through the 2019/20 season but has scored just ten goals in 56 outings and made just five appearances last season.
It remains to be seen if any of the four manage to find new clubs between now and deadline day but their absences could well extend to Barcelona’s pre-season tour - the Spanish side are set to travel to the United States to take on Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Juventus and New York Red Bulls.
One player who does also look certain to not be a Barcelona player is Dutchman Frenkie de Jong. Manchester United have agreed a fee to sign the midfielder having tracked him for the majority of the window.
Whilst they need sales this summer, the Blaugrana are hard at work in adding to their squad ahead of the 2022/23 season. Leeds United star Raphinha has been strongly linked with a switch to the Camp Nou and despite Chelsea having seemingly agreed a deal for the Brazilian, Barcelona are still holding talks with his agent Deco ahead of a potential summer transfer.
