For the third consecutive summer, the Catalan team are aiming for a big sale, but once again it seems that any transaction will have to be carried out without funds coming from the transfer market.
Only Chadi Riad and Marc Guiu have left money in Barça’s accounts this summer, despite the Catalan side earmarking several players for departure. Ronald Araujo was the great hope, but injury has ruled out any sale, as has Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati. Meanwhile, Raphinha remains healthy, but is equally adamant that he will not leave the club, with three years left on his contract.
Gundogan hangs on
In recent weeks, Fenerbahce and Turkiye have expressed interest in summer signing Ilkay Gundogan, and the response has been that Barcelona are open to a sale. The veteran German international is on one of the club’s highest salaries, but Gundogan has made it clear he has no desire to leave the club. MD said he is not particularly amused by all the attention the idea is attracting and has made it clear he has no intention of leaving.
The Catalan press has suggested that new manager Hansi Flick will discuss his role in the team and possibly explain that he will not be a key part of his squad going forward. This has been coupled with the idea that at no point do Flick or the club intend to force Gundogan out. He has one year left on his contract with an option to extend for a further year and, given that he was Barcelona’s best midfielder last season, he will likely fancy his chances of retaining a place in the starting XI, despite any system and style changes Flick may want to implement.
