Barcelona's big loser if Raphinha signs
Karan Tejwani
- 4 Jul 2022 14:35 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona are getting busier in the transfer window in the hope of adding a few new faces to their squad ahead of the new season, and that may come at a cost for some.
The club recently activated a financial lever, giving them a positive balance sheet, and are set to activate a second soon, giving them more freedom in the transfer window.
That will allow them to conclude a few more deals, and they’ve been laying the foundations for that, with players like Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Leeds United’s Raphinha linked with moves.
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It would also mean with some of their current players being forced to leave, with Memphis Depay’s future being up in the air for the upcoming season.
Depay surplus to requirements at Barcelona
It’s become clear that Depay is not an essential part of coach Xavi’s plans for the season, and Barcelona would be open to letting him go should the right offer arrive for the Dutchman.
Additionally, it would be difficult to give him game time: the club are also working on a deal with Ousmane Dembele to extend his contract, having seen his previous one run out at the end of June.
That would mean Barcelona have Dembele, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and potentially Lewandowski and Raphinha as attacking options, giving Depay little chance.
Raphinha, hoping for Barcelona move with 5 year deal ready since March - no final answer sent to Chelsea yet, waiting for Barça. 🇧🇷 #FCB
Barcelona bid last Thursday: €50m plus €10m add-ons, paid in installments.
Leeds insist they only accepted Chelsea bid for £60m, as of now. pic.twitter.com/Q3NAuW4FUA— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2022
Media in Barcelona have also suggested that Depay would have no place in the team should Barcelona complete the signing of Raphinha and extension of Dembele.
Recently, Barcelona have been weighing up the opportunity to use Depay as a makeweight in a deal for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, in a bid to have to pay a lesser sum up front.
Sevilla are believed to be demanding around €65 million for the defenders services, but may be tempted by Barcelona’s offer, as they are fans of Depay.
It’ll be a busy few weeks for Barcelona as they attempt to make deals in the transfer window, and there will be plenty of incomings and outgoings.
