FC Barcelona should enter a new era this summer. With the departure of Xavi Hernández, Joan Laporta and Deco, the sporting director, are working to quickly find the successor of the current Catalan coach as well as to design the new Blaugrana squad. But to be able to recruit, Barça, in the red financially and which has seen its salary limit recently reduced, will have to part ways with big names to achieve its goals.
But not just anyone. As revealed Sport, the Catalan management refuses to give up its young stars. There is no question of selling Alejandro Balde, even if he has a very high rating on the market. Same thing for Ronald Araujo and Frenkie De Jong, although they were approached by the biggest European clubs last winter. But neither of the two talents wants to leave Barça this summer and their wishes will be respected, because they are strategic and major players on a sporting level.
A winger and a defender on the start
On the other hand, two Catalan stars will be leaving this summer: Brazilian winger Raphinha (27 years old) and French international defender Jules Koundé (25 years old). Two players with high market value whose contracts will expire in 2027. For the Auriverde winger, who did not benefit from the departure of Ousmane Dembélé last summer, the rise in power of Lamine Yamal has downgraded him among the attackers and it therefore no longer plays a leading role. Several Saudi clubs are keeping an eye on him.
For Jules Koundé, often lugged between central defense and the right flank, the Catalan management will listen carefully to the proposals. His recent performances are not satisfactory and the explosion of Pau Cubarsà does not help matters for him, who would be appreciated by the Premier League side. The objective would be to sell him at a high price, in order to then be able to enlist one or two central defenders. With the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, and possibly Alphonso Davies, at Real Madrid, Barça is expected this summer…
