9 Players Who Could Be Leaving Barcelona This Summer
By Max Haley
Barcelona are in for a summer of change.
Ronald Koeman has already replaced Quique Setien as manager after their 8-2 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich, and a number of players could be set to leave the club too. President Jose Maria Bartomeu has said as much - listing a large section of the squad as available for sale.
So who's in danger of being axed?
1. Arturo Vidal
Arturo Vidal is the perfect scapegoat for Barcelona's 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.
Before the game, he made a point of saying how his team were the 'best in the world'. During the game, he was filmed leaning over the advertising hoardings as Bayern scored their sixth, in clear exhaustion.
The Chilean's contract runs out at the end of next season. He plays in an already highly populated position in this Barcelona team and he could be sacrificed to make way for a younger group of players.
2. Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez looked a shadow of his former self against Bayern Munich. Sure he scored Barcelona's second, he was practically invisible outside of that.
Poor-old Suarez's first-half heat map summed up his performance perfectly; the Uruguayan spent most of his time restarting the game, taking nine kick-offs overall.
His contract is also up next summer and considering he is on a staggering €450,000 a week, you can't blame Barcelona for wanting rid, with Ajax interested in bringing the Uruguayan back to Holland.
However, Suarez spoke to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, saying he thinks he can still contribute, and if he does stay you can guarantee he'll give it his all.
3. Rafinha Alcantara
Rafinha spent the second half of last season out on loan at relegation-threatened Celta Vigo. He hardly set the world alight for the Sky Blues and he won't have done anything to convince Ronald Koeman that he deserves a place in his Barcelona side next season.
With his contract lasting one more year, and earning £74,000 a week, Barça could do worse than cutting their losses now.
4. Gerard Pique
Pique has struggled this season for Barcelona.
The Blaugrana haven't managed to find a good enough partner for their captain since Carles Puyol left - bar one good season from Samuel Umtiti - and this year that was more evident than ever.
Pique admitted that Barcelona had 'hit rock bottom' after the Bayern game, and he was one of the players Bartomeu was thought to be referencing when he said "it is time to say goodbye to some of the players who made us the best team in the world".
There have been plenty of clubs linked with the Spaniard and now could be the perfect time for him and Barcelona to part ways.
5. Ivan Rakitic
Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić is almost definitely leaving Barcelona this summer. His influence has waned in recent seasons, and he made just 16 starts in La Liga last season.
He is believed to be earning around €250,000-a-week and simply doesn't justify a wage that high. Considering he has one year left on his contract, it would make complete sense if Bartomeu's statement referred to him.
6. Antoine Griezmann
Whilst Bartomeu has said that Griezmann won't leave Barcelona, you never know.
The Frenchman has been underwhelming since joining the club from Atletico Madrid last summer and with the size of the rebuild that the Catalan side require, anyone could be sold for the right price.
Griezmann is on a huge chunk of money, and it's an amount that Barcelona simply cannot be spending on a player who isn't performing.
7. Ousmane Dembele
Similarly to Griezmann, Bartomeu made a point of saying that Dembele would be staying at Barcelona, but the winger has been injury-stricken since joining from Borussia Dortmund and it wouldn't be surprising if the club had run out of patience with him.
He is clearly an incredibly talented player and there would be a number of clubs interested in signing him if Barcelona did want to sell.
8. Junior Firpo
Firpo has been linked with an exit for a number of weeks since Barcelona were said to be following developments in Valencia regarding Jose Gaya.
Barcelona need a new left-back to fill in for Jordi Alba, whose best days are behind him. Firpo could yet be that man, he was fantastic for Betis but since joining Los Cules he has disappointed.
9. Philippe Coutinho
The story of Coutinho and Barcelona is almost laughable. Barcelona spent €160m on the Brazilian in January 2018, only to loan him to Bayern Munich 18 months later and watch him score twice against them in the Champions League semi-final...as they lost 8-2.
For whatever reason, it hasn't worked out at Barcelona for Coutinho, and if they can get the midfielder off their wage bill they may be tempted to do so.