Barcelona ‘put 12 players up for sale’ to raise funds following Messi decision
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Barcelona have put 12 players up for sale – including Luis Suarez, Martin Braithwaite and Samuel Umtiti.
New boss Ronald Koeman is expected to complete a mass clearout at the Nou Camp in a transformative year for the club.
It comes in light of Lionel Messi’s decision to stay in Catalonia for at least another season.
However, Barca are fully aware that there must be some surgery of the current squad.
Last season saw how badly exposed many first-team players were after an 8-2 demolition from Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
It saw Quique Setien lose his job and Koeman is not prepared to go the same way.
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
As a result, he is looking to axe up to 12 players in the remaining weeks of the transfer window and bring in his own personnel.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona also need to free up their extortionate wage bill – though Messi takes up a huge chunk of that.
But with the 33-year-old now staying, other cuts now must be made.
Suarez is the most high-profile of potential departures and a move to Juventus was in the pipeline only for a late bid from Atletico Madrid to scupper the transfer.
It is believed the Uruguay international is keen on staying in Spain, where he is settled with his family.
Also included on the exit list are Braithwaite, Umtiti, Jean-Clair Todibo, Nelson Semedo, Arturo Vidal and Rafinha.
(Image: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Todibo has attracted attention from Premier League clubs Everton and Leicester while Leeds United are a surprise side eyeing Rafinha.
Inter Milan are on the verge of signing Vidal, with Antonio Conte a massive fan of the Chilean having worked with him at Juventus.
Mundo Deportivo also further report that Umtiti was keen on staying at the Nou Camp.
However, Koeman told the defender that his future does not lie at Barcelona and former club Lyon could snap him up.
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Manchester United and Arsenal have previously been linked with the France international but it remains to be seen whether or not they revive their interest.
Two left-backs are also looking set to leave in the shape of Junior Firpo and Miranda, while fringe players Monchu, Moussa Wague and Busquets could go – with Watford interested in the latter.
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