La Liga's Barcelona are about to sell multiple players for a total of 65 million euros (about 73 million U.S. dollars) in the next two weeks to balance the books for the 2018-19 season, reported Sport.com on June 16.
Seven players' names are on the list: André Gomes, Jasper Cillessen, Denis Suárez, Rafinha, Sergi Palencia, Adrián Ortolá and Marc Cucurella. They are either out of the future plan of the club's manager Ernesto Valverde does or seeking to leave Camp Nou.
André Gomes (L) of Everton (on loan) and Jasper Cillessen of Barcelona /VCG Photo
Gomez and Cillessen carry the biggest hope. During his time at Premier League's Everton on loan last season, Gomez did well and won acknowledgement from the Toffees manager Marco Silva. However, Barcelona wanted 30 million euros for the Portuguese midfielder, which Everton did not want to pay.
Cillessen has been with Barcelona for three seasons but always as the backup goalkeeper. The 30-year-old wanted to change that and stay in good form before the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, thus seeking a new club. Though multiple teams wanted Cillessen, but money again became a problem – his buyout clause is worth 60 million euros (about 67 million U.S. dollars) and Barcelona wanted at least half of that. So far no club has expressed interest in paying that amount.
Suárez was loaned to Premier League's Arsenal last season but underperformance plus injury made the Gunners decide to let him return to Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder still has some chasers and he wants to leave Camp Nou. Rafinha also suffered from injuries and he still has one year left of his contract with Barcelona. The club may extend his deal and send him away again on loan.
Philippe Coutinho (L) and Nélson Semedo (R) of Barcelona /VCG Photo
The above seven may only be another round of bigger sales. This time the biggest deal should be Philippe Coutinho. According to reports in Spain, the Brazilian already told Barcelona that he wants to go, not to mention his failure to adapt himself to the club's style and his conflicts with fans. However, as long as Barcelona insists on the price of 100 million euros (about 112 million U.S. dollars), it will be difficult for them to get rid of Coutinho.
The other big name who wants to leave Camp Nou is Nélson Semedo, according to Catalunya Ràdio, for lack of playing time. Barcelona does not want to sell him because a quality right-back is scarce on today's market. Meanwhile, Semedo's buyout clause is also worth 100 million euros (about 112 million U.S. dollars).
Copyright © 2018 CGTN. Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3
Copyright © 2018 CGTN. Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3