Barcelona have sold Marc Guiu, Julian Araujo and Chadi Riad this summer, amounting to a total of €25m to help the club accounts, but none of those deals have made a substantial difference to their salary limit situation. As things stand, Hansi Flick will be without five players against Valencia, including star signing Dani Olmo.
According to MD, Barcelona received a €65m offer for Raphinha earlier this summer from Saudi Arabia, while Newcastle United enquired about him, but went no further in talks. Meanwhile Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia have all registered interest in Ilkay Gundogan. With neither key for the medium to long-term future at Barcelona, the Catalans side would be delighted if they were to leave.
Hansi Flick has not been very convinced by Mikayil Faye and has given the green light for his departure. @RogerTorello
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 16, 2024
The latter would not fetch a large transfer fee, but would free up significant salary space, and having arrived on a free, would be pure profit. Club sources say it would be like ‘winning the lottery’ were either to agree to leave for the Middle East.
It has been no secret that Barcelona are looking to raise funds through sales this summer, but they are still yet to sanction a large exit. Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta have left Flick in a tricky position to start their La Liga campaign, without some key pieces for a tricky trip to Mestalla.
