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Barcelona duo open to winter exits

By Ernesto Hernandez

SEVILLE, SPAIN - JANUARY 23: Carles Alena, Ivan Rakitic and Clement Lenglet of FC Barcelona react during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on January 23, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - JANUARY 23: Carles Alena, Ivan Rakitic and Clement Lenglet of FC Barcelona react during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on January 23, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona midfield set to become lighter come the winter transfer window.

Despite being only a few months into the season, Barcelona are already planning for the upcoming transfer window. Those plans not only contain potential signings but potentially the exits of both Ivan Rakitic and Carles Aleña.

Both players have seen their roles dramatically reduced, Rakitic in particular, and a move away from the Camp Nou is an option both are contemplating.

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The Croatian midfielder has been one of Ernesto Valverde’s most trusted players since the manager took over the club but has found his playing time significantly reduced. The likes of Frenkie de Jong and Arturo Vidal have surpassed him as options in midfield.

Rakitic had options in the summer to join Juventus or PSG had the Neymar deal gone throught. But he remained steadfast that he was content in Barcelona and that is where he wanted to play. The lack of minutes has since changed his mind.

According to Marca, the club are going to wait and see how his situation develops leading up to the transfer window before they make a decision. The option to join a Serie A side appears to still be on the table and the player himself could push for a move.

The case of Carles Aleña is more curious as he has not played as huge of a role as Rakitic but he was positioned one of the club’s up-and-coming young stars. He started Barcelona’s first game of the season against Athletic Bilbao but was yanked at halftime.

He has not played a single minute ever since.

Finding playing time was always going to be a challenge considering the amount of players in midfield. Barcelona had the opportunity to send Aleña, on loan, to Real Betis but refused because they wanted to resolve Rakitic’s situation first.

Mundo Deportivo add more credence to the reports that both players see leaving the club as an option given their situation.

Aleña, usually reserved, has been more outspoken this season. He’s voiced his displeasure of not only not playing but not even making the bench and he criticized the board for giving away his shirt number without informing him beforehand.

Next. Barcelona midfielder opens up on a possible move to Juventus. dark

A move away for both players may be a blessing in disguise. Rakitic will get an opportunity to feel important and contribute and Aleña will be able to play and develop instead of riding the bench hoping to get a game in.

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