Ruthless Xavi ‘tells Barcelona to flog SEVEN players in huge clear out’ as he looks to overhaul team with transfers
BARCELONA boss Xavi wants to ship out SEVEN more players before the start of the season, according to reports.
The Catalan giants are aiming to be competitive in LaLiga despite their financial woes.
Xavi, 42, is desperate to overhaul his squad, with a number of players having already been flogged.
Philippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa on a permanent deal, with Clement Lenglet being loaned to Tottenham.
Barca ruthlessly ditched Dani Alves on a free transfer, with the Brazilian going on to damningly say: “This club has sinned in recent years. Barcelona doesn’t care about the people who made history for the club.”
Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong’s move to Manchester United is edging ever closer, with Red Devils chiefs having jetted to Barcelona earlier this week to try and accelerate a deal.
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Beyond the Dutchman’s possible exit, with De Jong set to hold talks with Barca today, the Catalan giants want to flog SEVEN more players.
Spanish paper claim that Xavi wants to “force” Neto, Samuel Umtiti and Martin Braithwaite out of the club, with the trio all surplus to requirements.
add that academy pair Oscar Mingueza and Riqui Puig have also been deemed surplus to requirements.
The duo aren’t expected to be included on Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the US, with fellow La Masia graduate Rey Manaj joining Championship Watford yesterday.
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Memphis Depay, meanwhile, could also be on his way just a year after joining from Lyon.
The Dutchman managed 13 goals last season but saw his importance wane following the arrivals of Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Depay, 28, has been linked with Tottenham but reportedly doesn’t want to join Antonio Conte’s side, who already boast a wealth of attacking talent.
In addition to these outgoings, Barca have also seen Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong’s loan spells come to an end, with neither expected to return.
So far this summer, Barcelona have signed Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Pablo Torre.
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Leeds star Raphinha is set to follow, after Barca agreed a £58million deal.
Xavi’s side are also chasing transfers for Chelsea duo Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta to bolster their defence.
