Barcelona are still looking to cut down on their squad, ahead of their pre-season tour of the USA. According to ‘AS’, the Catalans want to shift another four players from their first team to alleviate anxieties over their wage bill, and give them the option to sign new players should they want.
Barcelona still have plans for this summer transfer window, but as it stands that means that they need to get some players off their wage bill. The only player to leave the club so far this summer is Samuel Umtiti, who had his contract terminated with three years remaining, but the Catalans want to cull more.
According to ‘AS’, the club have their eyes on another four first team players who they want to shift: Clement Lenglet, Alex Collado, Franck Kessie and Sergino Dest.
Lenglet was on loan at Tottenham last season, but didn’t find success there. Dest was also on loan last year, playing for AC Milan but making just eight Serie A appearances. His only option may be another loan move, with ‘Daily Mail’ reporting he was linked to Union Berlin, but it appears there has been little follow up.
As for Kessie, he would prefer to stay with Barca or make a move to the Premier League, amid interest from Juventus and Saudi side, Al-Hilal, which does not interest the Ivorian. Collado returns from a loan at Elche with just a year left on his contract, after getting just one goal and one assist for the La Liga side.
New round of talks has been scheduled by Juventus for Franck Kessié deal. He's top target for the midfield but Juve want to understand player's plan as he has always wanted to stay at Barça… or try Premier League. 🇨🇮
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2023
Talks soon as Juve's new director Giuntoli wants Kessié. pic.twitter.com/rvYDSRMd9r