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Barcelona rejected two ‘important’ offers for winger Abde

By David Wyatt-Hupton

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Abde Ezzalzouli of FC Barcelona during the US Summer Series game between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Abde Ezzalzouli of FC Barcelona during the US Summer Series game between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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One of the more interesting Barcelona storylines this summer revolved around exciting young winger Abde Ezzalzouli.

Today the team returns to training following a post-US tour break. Morrocan winger Abde will be one of those returning to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training complex with his future decided.

Before Barca took off for their tour, some believed that Abde would be made available in the transfer market. With the financial issues at Barcelona and Abde being a sellable asset, there were no guarantees he’d continue at Camp Nou.

According to a report by Relevo, Xavi has decided to count on Abde for the 2023/24 La Liga season, with Barca having turned down two important offers for the winger.

Two important things happened at Barcelona to secure Abde’s future

Ousmane Dembele leaving for PSG opens up a space within the Barcelona forward rotation, and while Dembele is predominantly a right winger and Abde a left winger, both are capable of playing on either side.

Abde was used exclusively on the left last season while on loan at Osasuna, scoring 6 goals and registering 2 assists in 34 appearances. However, he has made 14 appearances as a right winger, so that position isn’t alien to him and I’m sure he’d do a job.

He also put together an eye-catching performance against Arsenal in the first game of the pre-season, where a number of darting runs opened the game up for Barca.

He wasn’t able to replicate that throughout the tour, but he showed enough to convince Xavi that he has a part to play this season for the Barcelona first team.

Alternative financial options for Barcelona

There was never a question that Barcelona believed in Abde’s ability, but there is also a firm understanding that Barca needs to facilitate outgoings to improve their squad ahead of the new season.

Fortunately, alternative revenue streams have opened which enables Barca to maintain their young talent. The €60 million Barca Studios investment is due to be completed this week, and Franck Kessie will complete his move to Saudi Arabia this week. Dembele will eventually move on and Clement Lenglet is also being tipped with an exit.

All of these moves result in added financial flexibility for the Catalan club.

Next. Dembele and Barcelona can’t agree on distribution of €50 million release clause. dark

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