Barcelona are in need of player sales this summer if they are to even think about strengthening their squad in a significant manner, but their central issue is that they do not have a match between interest in players they are willing to sell, and interest that would convince them to leave. Sporting Director Deco has been set the task of bridging that gap, with 50 days left in the transfer market.
With Frenkie de Jong determined to stay, and Barcelona without offers for Ronald Araujo, the other key name the Blaugrana are willing to sell is Raphinha. The Brazilian is determined to stay, despite Lamine Yamal removing him from his favoured position, and has told Deco that he has no intention of leaving the club. Raphinha also wants to be at Barcelona when he is fighting for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the Brazil squad.
All the same, he would be one of the most lucrative sales the club could make. Saudi Arabia are interested, and are willing to offer €80-100m for him, while at least doubling Raphinha’s salary. Neymar Junior’s Al-Hilal are most keen on him. Sport term it ‘mission impossible’, but Barcelona’s hierarchy have set Deco the task of convincing his former client (from his agent days) Raphinha to leave, and thus allowing them to go after the two players they want to strengthen.
Once again there has been plenty of noise generated around signings for Barcelona, but once again, they appear to be a victim of their previous business. Spending big on Raphinha without him being a guaranteed starter, failing to negotiate a new contract with Araujo, and giving de Jong a huge deal to backload his contract are all issues that have hamstrung them so far this transfer market.