Ten stars desperate Barcelona could sell to raise £178m with Man Utd and Arsenal among clubs ready to raid crisis-club
BARCELONA could be set to unload some of their biggest stars as the troubled club look to raise £178m.
The Spanish giants face a summer of no incoming signings after wild spending left the club struggling to reign in their costs.
La Liga chief executive Javier Tebas publicly called out the club’s reckless spending and suggested they would have to make cuts of 200m euros, around £178m.
Tebas said: “We have strict economic controls. At the end of each window, we tell all the clubs in La Liga what they can spend.
“In the case of Barcelona, they have to drop from spending on wages and transfers from 650m euros to 450m euros – so it’s a budget of minus 200m Euros.”
The announcement has underlined the deep financial issues
Despite unique attempts to arrest costs, the club are still struggling to balance the books.
Player sales appear the most likely way to get the situation under control and Premier League clubs are among those who could be circling.
Ex-Leeds star Raphinha, who only arrived at the Nou Camp a year ago, is among 10 players who could be sold to free up funds.
Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked to the winger who has four goals and four assists in La Liga this season.
But he has not made as big an impact as he would have wanted and, at 26 years old, could still command a decent fee in the summer.
Other high-profile stars could also be available.
Barca managed to cling hold of Frenkie de Jong last summer despite a determined attempt by United to land him.
But the Red Devils may find the job easier this summer if Barcelona do look to sell their stars.
Meanwhile, speculation has grown over the future of Robert Lewandowski.
The star striker was also among last summer’s transfer splurge but doubts have emerged over his future after manager Xavi was reported to have questioned his motivation before the club’s Europa League trip to Man United last month.
Some of Barcelona’s loanees could also be on the way out, with the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, Alex Collado and Sergino Dest potentially set for permanent moves away.
While reports in recent weeks have linked Ansu Fati with a Premier League move.
The injury-hit 20-year-old has struggled to get going at Barcelona due to his long spells on the sidelines, and it could benefit both parties for him to restart elsewhere.
There is also speculation that Barcelona wonderkid Gavi, 18, could be among those
The brilliant midfielder could command a big fee and the club have not been able to register the star as a first-team player due to La Liga’s salary cap, casting doubt on his future
And ex-Manchester City star, Ferran Torres, 23, has been linked with an Arsenal move.
