Barcelona look set to allow eight players to leave in order to reduce the wage bill and help sign either Mohamed Salah or Raphinha as well as Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.
The Catalan giants have opened the exit door to the likes of Neto, Sergi Roberto, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza, Riqui Puig, Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong this summer, according to AS.
Barca are, however, trying to tie Roberto down to a new deal but talks have reached a standstill and the defender’s future at the Nou Camp is uncertain.
Barcelona set to release eight players to help sign Raphinha (left) or Mohamed Salah (right)
Boss Xavi is looking to bolster his squad in the summer and is looking at the free agent market once again, but he will need to free up some wages, which is expected with a clear-out of unwanted stars.
Both Christensen and Azpilicueta’s contracts are due to expire in the summer – making them perfect fits for a switch to Barca.
The defenders are unlikely to stay at Stamford Bridge following sanctions imposed by the UK Government on departing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Barcelona are targeting Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen (left) and Cesar Azpilicueta too
The Blues are currently unable to sign or sell new players as they are looking to go under new ownership.
It is, however, not just money in mind for Barcelona as Xavi has shown his high ambitions since arriving in November – bringing in the likes of Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore.
The trio have all helped Barca turn their season around and climb up to third in LaLiga.
They’re also reportedly close to signing AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie and Leeds winger Raphinha.
The Catalan club have been long-time admirers of the Brazilian Raphinha but face competition from Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich for his signature.
Barca have been long-time admirers of the Brazilian Raphinha but face stiff competition
Leeds are said to have rejected a £29million bid from Barca in recent days, but that has seemingly not stopped contract discussions taking place behind the scenes.
According to Sport, Raphinha has agreed a five-year deal in principal at the Nou Camp, with his salary and bonuses also decided upon.
It is claimed that Barca hope that this will force Leeds to finally accept a transfer offer, with Raphinha’s agent Deco continuing to negotiate with the Elland Road hierarchy.
Raphinha has scored nine goals in 27 Premier League appearances for Leeds this season and made his senior debut for Brazil in October.
Liverpool ace Salah is another alternative, but that could prove more difficult, although he is currently in a contract stand-off at Anfield with his deal due to expire in 2023.
The moves for both Raphinha or Salah could be dependent on whether or not Ousmane Dembele opts to leave Barca in the summer when his contract expires.
