Will Messi stay? Can Dembele, Coutinho, Pjanic raise funds?

Preserve or Dump sequence: Arsenal | Bayern | Man United

Barcelona might study a factor or two from their ladies’s staff who received each league and Champions League this season. The lads let the Spanish title slip away with one win in 5 video games, had been hammered by PSG within the Champions League spherical of 16, and needed to depend on the Copa del Rey for silverware salvation as they beat Athletic Bilbao 4-0 within the closing. Oh, they usually’ve additionally needed to cope with star participant Lionel Messi’s need to go away, a boardroom meltdown, a presidential election, and a debt degree that has reached round €1.2 billion — which the doomed European Tremendous League was supposed to repair.

All in all, it’s been a tough season on and off the pitch. Nonetheless, returning president Joan Laporta mentioned a “cycle has ended” and warned huge selections will probably be made as a “renewal course of” begins. Laporta has some monetary plans, however the membership will largely be focusing on free transfers, like Manchester Metropolis’s Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, Paris Saint-Germain’s Memphis Depay or Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

The wage invoice wants to return down, which can imply Messi strikes on when his contract expires this summer season, although sources have advised ESPN that the membership wish to provide him a brand new three-year deal. And there’s the necessity to oust a variety of under-performing stars as effectively, significantly in defence.

With that in thoughts, right here’s a player-by-player evaluation of the prevailing Barcelona squad. The place a participant is solely marked “Preserve,” the choice was past any affordable doubt.

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Varied elements are considered together with age, wages, character and contract size (we went with Transfermarkt for contract expiry dates for consistency). And there will probably be transferring elements, too: departures or arrivals that trigger chain reactions, generally sudden.

Word: Some gamers have contracts that embody the choice of an additional 12 months on expiry. For consistency, all contracts under relate to the first 12 months of expiration.

Leap to: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Total evaluation

GOALKEEPERS

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (29 years outdated, contract expires in 2025)

HUNTER: There’s loads of golf equipment who would wish to signal him, no query. However he stays a staff chief, hardly ever drops type and has the attributes Barcelona want in a goalkeeper. He’s a keeper.

LOWE: Watching video games in empty stadiums has underlined what a quiet staff Barcelona are. Ter Stegen is among the few who even talks. He’s a pacesetter, a constant performer, and may see out his complete profession at Camp Nou.

VERDICT: Preserve

Neto (31, 2023)

HUNTER: He’s too good to be kicking his heels on the bench at Barcelona and is obstructing the progress of two academy prospects. He might increase a little bit of much-needed money.

LOWE: Signed for the fallacious causes: extra monetary engineering than footballing. Now ought to be allowed to maneuver on for each footballing and finance causes. And for his personal sake.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €10m)

Inaki Pena (22, 2023)

LOWE: Did you see the latest penalty shootout in opposition to UCAM Murcia the place he saved 4? He ought to be No. 2, although meaning he received’t get as many minutes as with the B staff. Give him the Copa del Rey, a minimum of.

VERDICT: Preserve and lengthen if he impresses

DEFENDERS

Samuel Umtiti (27, 2023)

HUNTER: The Frenchman has a fighter’s perspective however has additionally attracted a fighter’s accidents… and status with the officers. He’s a smashing left-footed passer of the ball however is just too sluggish defensively and has to go. Eric Garcia can exchange him when he arrives on a free switch.

LOWE: Unhappy to say, Umtiti simply can’t do it anymore due to his knee. Give him an opportunity elsewhere, if any golf equipment have an interest.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €10m)

Clement Lenglet (25, 2026)

HUNTER: His apparent worth as a left-footed centre-back is overruled by his persistent tendency to get despatched off/present personal objectives/commit penalty fouls.

LOWE: At occasions he appears low-key wonderful. After which the inevitable error occurs. Essentially the most accident-prone participant in Spain. Not at all times his fault, and you think he may go elsewhere and play effectively, however Barca ought to let him go if there’s a proposal… which there ought to be.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €25m)

Gerard Pique (34, 2024)

HUNTER: He might have meniscus issues along with his knee coming down the road however he’s nonetheless hungry and the boss of the backline. He helped land the shirt sponsor in 2016 and signed a brand new contract in October 2023.

LOWE: If there was a superb provide for him, Barca would let him go. However, at 34, there received’t be. He’s nonetheless a pacesetter, nonetheless necessary, nonetheless understands the sport higher than anybody else. However the reality is that he’s not pretty much as good.

VERDICT: Preserve

Ronald Araujo (22, 2023)

HUNTER: Doubtlessly an enormous expertise for this membership. However each prime facet in Europe is in search of a proficient younger centre-back. Furthermore, he finally desires to play within the Premier League. Solely let him go if the value is round €100m and helps the membership’s horrible debt scenario. In any other case lengthen him to protect his worth subsequent 12 months.

LOWE: Preserve and play him. Now. Each sport. Cease messing about with him.

VERDICT: Preserve and lengthen

Jean-Clair Todibo (21, 2023)

LOWE: Appears to have every little thing you want from a centre-back and his lack of alternatives has stunned at occasions, however one thing is clearly lacking. He desires to show his mortgage at Good everlasting, whereas the emergence of Araujo and Oscar Mingueza (and the potential arrival of Garcia) makes his future at Barcelona even much less promising.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €8.5m)

Oscar Mingueza (22, 2023)

HUNTER: Uncooked and over-enthusiastic, however harking back to the legendary Carles Puyol on the identical age. Quick, daring and has fairly good distribution — particularly down the wing — he’s a neighborhood boy who loves the membership.

LOWE: Though my enthusiasm for Mingueza is lower than for Araujo, hold, completely. Except there’s a danger of him not getting minutes after which perhaps look to mortgage him.

VERDICT: Preserve

Jordi Alba (32, 2024)

HUNTER: A revelation. He has a protracted contract, no need to go away and no golf equipment actually curious about signing him at this stage of his profession. However the improve in perspective, efficiency and attacking menace throughout 2023-21 was so huge that Luis Enrique recalled him for Spain..

LOWE: The Alba Conundrum. Nonetheless higher than anybody else; but in “these” moments, he’s nonetheless the participant within the photograph of the catastrophe. Preserve, however fear in regards to the huge video games in opposition to one of the best opponents.

VERDICT: Preserve

Sergino Dest (20, 2025)

HUNTER: Regardless of whether or not supervisor and mentor Ronald Koeman stays or not, this child has perspective, expertise and tempo. He can play left or proper, although continues to be very tentative, significantly utilizing the ball excessive up the pitch. Develop and see how he goes.

LOWE: Develop. That is the important thing. The fabric is there, however the participant shouldn’t be but. Transfer him on if there’s a very huge provide. If not, give him some continuity.

VERDICT: Preserve

Sergi Roberto (29, 2023)

HUNTER: Roberto is extraordinarily soccer good, dependable in two or three positions and has spent his entire profession at Barcelona. Whereas not athletically quick, he has a fast mind. In non-financial disaster occasions you’d hold him however he might increase some much-needed funds within the closing 12 months of his contract.

LOWE: Helpful in the event you hold; helpful to lift cash in the event you let him go. It relies upon what’s on the market however he’s too typically a scapegoat.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €20m)

Junior Firpo (24, 2024)

HUNTER: He’s not received a lot soccer intelligence, although different groups will like his rangy tempo and occasional objective menace.

LOWE: Oddly wood. Appeared a superb signing from Betis in 2019 — a no brainer the truth is — however he hasn’t been. A membership in England like West Ham or Arsenal will most likely nonetheless need him.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €10m)

Moussa Wague (22, 2023)

HUNTER: He’s not received the precise skillset for what’s coming at Camp Nou, so it’s time to maneuver on.

LOWE: Unlikely to discover a membership to take him on as he’s not impressed on mortgage at Good or PAOK, but when they’ll discover one then let him go.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €4m)

MIDFIELDERS

Frenkie de Jong (24, 2026)

HUNTER: The Dutchman is an distinctive participant and is steadily changing into a staff chief too. He shouldn’t be shunted round positionally as he’s a key Barcelona ingredient instantly and in future.

LOWE: Preserve. Encourage. Liberate.

VERDICT: Preserve

Pedri (18, 2023)

HUNTER: Phenomenal. The sensible simplicity of a younger Andres Iniesta, positional imaginative and prescient of Sergio Busquets. No person ought to be this smart this younger. Preserve him without end.

LOWE: Preserve. Shield. Construct round.

VERDICT: Preserve

Philippe Coutinho (28, 2023)

HUNTER: Good bloke, however he’s been a horrible match at Barcelona since his €160m transfer from Liverpool in 2018. Too individualistic in a “system” staff, he has lacked confidence, has struggled with damage and doesn’t work onerous sufficient defensively.

LOWE: Not solely his fault, however a logo of Barcelona’s abject failure. Dump. However then they’ve been making an attempt to maneuver him on for some time now.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €40m)

Miralem Pjanic (31, 2024)

HUNTER: He hasn’t reached the heights of his type at Juventus and has been eclipsed by youthful expertise this season. However he has a status and CV which might yield some revenue. Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum might exchange him if Barca signal him on a free this summer season.

LOWE: His signing (in a “swap” deal plus €12m for Arthur with Juventus) was a shame. Dropped at the membership for all of the fallacious causes, his performances haven’t impressed. Is he any good? In Spain, who is aware of?

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €30m)

Sergio Busquets (32, 2023)

HUNTER: He instructions a big wage however as long as the coach is Koeman, or Xavi, and the midfield is populated with teammates who’ll do defensive operating for him, his footballing mind stays completely elite. His finest season for some years however the membership will wish to lose his wage when his contract expires.

LOWE: I might at all times desire to see a participant like this end his profession on the membership he began with, but when there’s an enormous provide then Barca ought to take it.

VERDICT: Preserve

Carles Alena (22, 2023)

HUNTER: A pleasant footballer whose probability within the first staff has come and gone. There will probably be loads of different golf equipment when he returns from mortgage at Getafe and he’s the kind of participant who Barcelona can’t afford to maintain loaning out.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €15m)

Matheus Fernandes (22, 2025)

HUNTER: Solely joined in August 2023 from Palmeiras for round €7m however he’s not ok to make it at Barcelona.

LOWE: Who? He’s performed one sport. Transfer him on and discover out who really helpful him.

VERDICT: Dump (Estimated price: €5m)

Riqui Puig (21, 2023)

HUNTER: Each time he performs, he thrills, however he’s not performed sufficient. Has proven he has all the talents, however must develop with first-team soccer. Preserve and mortgage to a membership like Celta for important expertise.

LOWE: Preserve him and play him. In the event you can’t, then mortgage. I agree, Villarreal or Celta could be a pleasant match.

VERDICT: Preserve and mortgage

Ilaix Moriba (18, 2023)

HUNTER: An unbelievable gem who is prepared for the primary staff already — a rarity for an 18-year-old. The midfielder goes to be a pacesetter, a scorer, an icon of the approaching years. Important that he indicators a brand new long-term contract as quickly as doable in order that he’s a cornerstone of the long run and that his launch clause is prohibitive.

LOWE: Preserve and play him each week.

VERDICT: Preserve and lengthen

FORWARDS

Lionel Messi (33, 2023)

HUNTER: Preserve if he’s going to be pleased, impressed, sharp and centered. And in the event you can afford to pay his wages. But when he’s not proud of the monetary provide or returns from this summer season’s Copa America drained, grumpy and never totally certain that he desires to be at Camp Nou, he’ll go away of his personal accord when his contract expires.

LOWE: Preserve? Dump? It’s not your choice, Barcelona… It’s his.

VERDICT: Preserve and lengthen if they’ll

Antoine Griezmann (30, 2024)

HUNTER: It relies on who the coach is… If Koeman continues to be there then the choice is within the stability as they blow cold and warm. If Koeman leaves, then Griezmann will wish to keep. He has extra to offer and you’ll’t discover a participant of his high quality simply.

LOWE: Good participant. Good particular person {and professional} too. And but, it’s so onerous to guage this one. If an enormous provide is available in, that may make Barcelona’s choice for them. But when Messi goes, Griezmann ought to keep and Barca ought to signal a companion who may give him confidence.

VERDICT: Preserve and assess

Ansu Fati (18, 2023)

HUNTER: Preserve, for certain, however work onerous to get him cured of his meniscus issues and match once more. He additionally wants a brand new contract, although his present buyout clause of €400m is a minimum of prohibitive.

LOWE: Preserve. In fact. However, frankly, his knee damage is a fear. What if it by no means occurs for him?

VERDICT: Preserve and lengthen

Ousmane Dembele (24, 2023)

HUNTER: Robust one. No participant, with the doable exception of PSG’s Neymar, can go from 0-60mph with the ball at his ft fairly like Dembele. However can he proceed to remain match and turn into a extra dependable scorer? Solely let him go if a proposal over €80m is available in. In any other case, lengthen him.

LOWE: He might have been one thing particular, and perhaps nonetheless might someday, however Barca ought to take any provide whereas they nonetheless can. That is not a child in his first season and his damage points have hindered him since a €105m transfer from Dortmund in 2017.

VERDICT: Break up Preserve / Dump (Estimated price: €50m)

Francisco Trincao (21, 2025)

HUNTER: The younger Portugal winger is greater than ok to be a Barcelona participant. He solely arrived in August 2023 for €31m from Braga and his future relies on what the membership handle to do with different gamers round him. He’s value some endurance and a mortgage could also be finest.

LOWE: Too younger and too proficient to surrender on, however he received’t get numerous alternatives, particularly if Barca signal Memphis Depay this summer season.

VERDICT: Preserve and mortgage

Martin Braithwaite (29, 2024)

HUNTER: An admirable participant, Braithwaite is set to remain and is able to being very cussed. Barca haven’t received a lot to spend, so hold him until there’s a proposal too good to disregard.

LOWE: Helpful as a squad participant and at an inexpensive wage. But when there’s a proposal and he desires to go, then let him.

VERDICT: Preserve and assess (Estimated price: €10m)

Konrad De La Fuente (19, 2023)

HUNTER: A great deal of potential however the USA worldwide wants larger degree exams than Barcelona B. Sources advised ESPN the membership are open to presents, however they need to ship him out on mortgage and see how he does. Additionally they have an possibility to increase his contract till 2024.

VERDICT: Preserve, lengthen and mortgage

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

With a monetary scenario that wants motion, not phrases, Barcelona are going through a tricky summer season. Messi’s future is essential as they may wish to hold him — each for PR causes and likewise as a result of he’s nonetheless arguably one of the best participant on the planet — however the financial savings they’d make on his wages might permit them some respiration house. They’d, nonetheless, want to exchange him. No simple process.

Manchester Metropolis’s Sergio Aguero is out there on a free switch and might be a superb choice to bolster the assault, although he’s 32. Having made the poor choice to let Luis Suarez transfer to Atletico Madrid, the place he promptly received them La Liga, sources advised ESPN that Barca see Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland because the excellent candidate to steer the staff’s assault for the subsequent decade, however they must wait till 2023 when his €75m launch clause kicks in. Consequently, Actual Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez might be choices, particularly if Braithwaite doesn’t keep.

In midfield, our evaluation would see kids like Puig and Moriba provided extra possibilities if the membership might increase funds by letting Pjanic and Coutinho go. Whereas the arrival of Depay and Wijnaldum might plug some gaps ought to Dembele depart.

Defensively, if Umtiti and Lenglet are allowed to go away, Garcia would exchange them, whereas Araujo and Mingueza would additionally play extra minutes. Although with Pique turning 34, one other versatile defender or two could also be required — maybe Actual Betis’ Aissa Mandi, who is out there on a free, or Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin — if Barca are to problem throughout all competitions once more.

Barcelona are exploring replacements for Koeman, however president Joan Laporta doesn’t wish to sack the Dutch coach with out having a successor in place and the 2 males met not too long ago to debate the long run, a number of sources have advised ESPN. Barca not too long ago sounded out former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, who took the vacant Germany job, whereas a supply near membership legend Xavi advised ESPN he’s in no rush to tackle the place at Camp Nou, having simply prolonged his contract as coach of Qatari facet Al-Sadd.

Not like earlier years, Barca received’t be capable to spend their means out of bother. Youth will play an element, however their decision-making on some key gamers can even form their future. With or with out Messi.