- 16 hours ago
Barcelona Champions League ban: Four stars who could leave
Robin Bairner
- 23 Mar 2023 14:05 GMT
- 4 min read
The news that UEFA has decided to open an investigation into Barcelona over the ‘Caso Negreira’ is a worrying revelation for the Catalan side.
Although they cannot be punished in a sporting manner by LaLiga for the alleged offences involving the former vice-president of Spain’s referee committee, UEFA has the power to freeze the club out of the Champions League if they are found guilty of sufficient wrongdoing.
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Given the financial predicament that Barca already find themselves in – they have been told to slash their wage budget before July – this could cause a cascade of departures and threaten the club in its current state.
President Joan Laporta, who has strenuously denied the allegations against the club, claiming there is a smear campaign against them, worked cleverly to secure some leading players last summer with the use of economic levers, but even he would surely be powerless to halt the type of slide being kicked out of Europe’s top competition might cause.
So just who might go?
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Presently one of the few Barcelona players who is not on the transfer market, despite the club’s difficulties, he recently spoke of the need for Barca to better arm themselves for a tilt at continental glory. If the Champions League is not on offer to him at Camp Nou, would he really want to hang around at 35 when he might have one last shot at glory elsewhere? And could the club realistically afford to pay him what he is currently on?
Barcelona already have a problem with Frenkie de Jong, who remains on the old wage structure and is therefore being paid more those around him. It is an issue that could be resolved by having the midfielder sign a new deal, but even now Barca appear to be considering cashing in on one of their most marketable assets. Their hand could be forced if the Champions League is not on the table.
Left in the embarrassing situation of having Gavi on a youth contract, Barcelona face a puzzle as to how he signs for the first team next season given their FFP issues. Liverpool have been linked with the youngster, who has shown no inclination yet to leave. Nevertheless, he is available on a free transfer and, as Lionel Messi showed, the matter may ultimately be resolved by forces outside the control of both the club and the player.
Ousmane Dembele
Once again, Dembele is causing Barcelona frustration because of his tendency to pick up injuries. When fit, there are few better on the wing than the France international. Xavi and Lewandowski have even called him the world’s best in that role. But if Barcelona are making cuts, can they really afford to keep a player who is on the sidelines as much as he is on the pitch?
