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| Ten FC Barcelona players that could leave the club this summer |
The transfer window is now open and FC Barcelona are one of the top clubs to have been very active this summer so far. This comes as no surprise as the Catalan Giants are eager to improve their squad for the upcoming 2016/2017 season.
Barcelona didn’t have their best season last season but they still managed to win 4 trophies, it’s a thing applicable only to Barça (being away from their best and still winning). They could’ve done better and achieved more had it not been for their lack of squad depth.
The starting 11 was filled with top-class quality but the bench was (close to) horrible. Apart from the huge number of average quality on the bench, injuries also affected the team and the lack of depth meant Luis Enrique needed to continue playing the same set of players every game as his trust for the few available ones were very low.
Barça are embarking on a journey to reshuffle their squad for the season by offloading the worn-out and not-so-good players and replacing them with young and talented prospects.
The likes of Dani Alves, Marc Bartra and Sandro Ramirez have all left the club for one reason or the other, while Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne and Denis Suarez have all joined. There are still more players likely to join the club, but it’s sure more will still leave before the end of the transfer window.
PLAYERS LIKELY TO LEAVE FC BARCELONA IN THE 2016/2017 TRANSFER WINDOW
ADRIANO CORREIA
Barcelona signed Samuel Umtiti because of his skill, youthfulness and his versatility, he is a central defender who can play comfortably at the left back position. This led to speculations that he could fill the left-back spot but then Barça signed Lucas Digne for €16.5 million, a natural left-back to compete with (or at least cover up for) Jordi Alba. This definitely makes it obvious that Adriano will end his 6-year span as a Barcelona player.
Adriano will be 32 in October and is finding it very hard to get minutes on the pitch for Barça. Both the player and Barça want him to leave for the good of both parties and negotiations are ongoing and the reason it’s taking much time is due to the fact that Barcelona do not want to let him leave for free. Lazio his most likely destination.
Likelihood to leave: Adriano is definitely leaving the club except a miracle happens – 95%.
DOUGLAS PEREIRA
Douglas was signed from Sao Paulo in 2014 for a reason nobody knows, not even the people that signed him know why they signed him. He’s featured in just 3 league games in two seasons and the club have realised he doesn’t fit in. They have made it clear they want him to leave and he will.
Likelihood to leave: Douglas will leave Barça, but something is serving as a barrier, the player is trying to stay for a few more time so as to obtain Spanish citizenship, but he has no place in Barça for this season and will most likely be released – 90%.
THOMAS VERMAELEN
Vermaelen is a quality defender, no doubt about that, but he has been unlucky with his career of late as injuries have not allowed him show all he’s got. Barça would have been happy to keep him but his injury issue is bad for the club and also himself as it reduces his confidence, and playing in a competitive team like Barça makes it worse as he won’t get the chance to play even when fit, therefore, he’s very likely to leave this summer.
The signing of Samuel Umtiti underlines this and Barça are not ready to let Jeremy Mathieu leave so soon which means Vermaelen will be 5th choice central back if he stays, something unfavourable.
Likelihood to leave: Vermaelen knows he isn’t having his best time at Barça. The club feel for him but right now they can do nothing to keep him as coach Luis Enrique does not find favour in him but his exit is not a certainty – 80%.
MUNIR EL HADDADI
Honestly, if I were in Munir’s shoes I’d be unhappy with the situation in the club right now. The player is available but Barcelona are still in the market searching for another player to fill the fourth striker role which means Munir will take the spot of 5th striker if he is to stay.
Barcelona see him as a star of the future and Luis Enrique likes the player but Munir will be eager to play and might just follow in the footsteps of Sandro out of the club.
Likelihood to leave: Munir is very likely to leave Barça this summer for a smaller club in search of regular playing time. However, Barça are not keen to losing him so easily so they will either insert a buy-back option in his deal or loan him out for 2 seasons probably – 70%
CLAUDIO BRAVO
Joining Barça was one of Bravo’s best ever decision as a footballer. The Chilean has seen unending success ever since he joined and has won a total of 9 trophies since then, 7 for club, 2 for country.
Right now, it seems he will lose his spot as number 1 goalkeeper this season as the Barcelona board have reportedly promised his colleague Ter Stegen the role of starting goalkeeper in all major competitions.
It is unlikely Bravo will accept to sit on the bench, something that is saddening for a player of his quality as he’s one of the best shot-stoppers around.
Technical secretary Robert Fernandez has hinted that his future is not certain saying “I will try my best to keep both goalkeepers at the club.” This also means Ter Stegen’s future is uncertain but I personally feel he will stay 100%.
Likelihood to leave: Barça do not want Bravo to leave but they do not want Ter Stegen to leave either. Their priority is on Ter Stegen as he is 10-years younger and top quality so they feel that he’ll stay if he’s guaranteed a starting spot, something not favourable to Bravo. It is still unknown if the keeper will accept his role as spectator from the bench this season – 50%.
THE CERTAIN NAMES…
ALEX SONG
Yes. Alex Song is still an FC Barcelona player. He joined the club in 2012 but just couldn’t fit in. He was no match for Sergio Busquets and was sent back to the premier league where he has spent the last two seasons on loan at West Ham. He is not needed at Barça.
Likelihood to leave: He should, must and will leave Barça – 100%.
CRISTIAN TELLO
Tello is young and not a bad player, he just doesn’t find favour in the eyes of the Barcelona faithfuls. His case is good as so many clubs are interested in signing him, including Swansea and Tottenham Hotspurs.
Likelihood to leave: Like Song, he is not needed at the club – 100%.
MARTIN MONTOYA
Was loaned to Inter Milan, couldn’t cope, returned to Spain to play for Real Betis. He is still young but doesn’t fit into Barça’s style and Luis Enrique is no fan of his. Won’t be a Barça player anymore.
Likelihood to leave: Real Betis like him and will most likely sign him. Nothing is being mentioned about him so far – 100%.
THE FUTURE…
ALEN HALILOVIC
Dubbed the next Messi because of the shocking similarity in their styles. Barça know this lad is talented and will take the club to great heights in the future so they are treating him with utmost care.
If he stays at Barça, it will hamper his improvement as he won’t get much playing time. He played on loan at Sporting Gijon last season where he shined but the club still feel there are things left to develop so he will continue his progress at another club this season.
Likelihood to leave: Barça will either loan him out or sell him with a buy-back option included in his contract. There is no way a rare gem like Alen will go on a permanent deal – 100% but will return to the club.
THE “LIKELY BUT WON’T HAPPEN”…
ARDA TURAN
Personally, I like Arda. He sacrificed to join this club by leaving his comfort zone at Atletico Madrid to play at a highly-competitive club whilst also enduring 6 months without featuring, something that definitely played a role in his mediocre first season at the club.
Arda is a top class midfielder and should be given at least one more season to prove himself. He will take part in the club’s preseason which will boost his confidence and help him regain match fitness.
Some fans want him out, it’s understandable, but the club appreciate his sacrifice and Luis Enrique is pleased to have him. He will continue at Barça.
Likelihood to leave: The pressure on Arda is unreal, but he is ready to fight. He has rejected a lot of offers just to stay and prove the doubters wrong. He will stay and prove his doubters wrong – 10%.