Barcelona create a shortlist of players they want to sell

Barcelona need to sell and raise funds before they can sign any new players.

Barcelona have created a shortlist of players they deem surplus to requirements as they look ahead and continue their efforts towards next season.

The financial situation at the club is delicate and in order to balance the books, the Catalans know that before making any huge investment, they need to clear some players off the books.

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According to Mundo Deportivo, the players on the chopping block are Carles Aleña, Jean-Clair Todibo, Rafinha Alcantara and Moussa Wagué. All four are currently out on loan.

Barcelona set out to raise €124 million in player sales. As it stands, they are still €70 million short of their goal.

Wague and Todibo recently had their options declined by OG Nice and Schalke 04, respectively. Both also have had plenty of interest from other teams with Wague being linked to West Ham and Todibo with Everton.

The plan all along has been to move them on and that hasn’t changed. Neither got a real chance at the club but considering they cost little to bring in, their signings were a low-risk, high-reward situation.

Rafinha has had his foot out the door for a while now. He was brought back from Inter Milan during Ernesto Valverde’s second season but loaned out again to Celta Vigo this season. Celta would like to keep him but may not offer enough. He could also be included in a deal for Lautaro Martinez.

Rafinha had a previous loan stint with Inter where he played well. It seemed like that move would be made permanent but Inter balked at the last minute and claimed they could not afford his purchase option.

Aleña is perhaps the most intriguing player out of the bunch. He joined Betis during the winter transfer window after not featuring much at all for a second consecutive season. He has not ruled out another loan stint because it’s been cut short due to the pandemic.

If any of these players can be aggrieved at not getting a fair chance, it should be him. Everyone can see his talent expect those in charge at Barcelona. He’s been a model player and never complained about not playing. He took advantage every time he was given an opportunity yet wasn’t rewarded with more playing time.

Even with Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal likely playing out their last days with Barcelona, it still looks like there is no place for the Masia graduate. Especially if they are serious about wanting to sign Miralem Pjanic.

Out of these four players, Aleña  and Todibo would probably garner Barcelona the most amount. More so Todibo should he make a move to the Premier League. Regardless, it still might not be enough to meet their goal.

Everyone except for Rafinha is below the age of 25.. Should all these moves materialize, they get a handful of players off their hands. But it won’t speak well on their ability to develop or get the best out of their young players.