FC Barcelona's summer departures are on full move and, as predicted, the board's main priority is offloading players. Both the men's and women's teams are undergoing a massive clearance sale. We covered Barca Femeni's worrisome business situation in a separate article.
In their eagerness to tidy up their books, and provide Hansi Flick with the room to maneuver in the transfer market, Barcelona are heading for a major clear-out of the squad.
So far five noteworthy names have made their exit from Catalonia and here is the full picture of Barcelona's confirmed summer departures.
The cash sales: Fati and Pena
The club decided to generate transfer revenue through their academy products, saying goodbye to two La Masia graduates for a combined total of 14 million.
- Ansu Fati to Monaco (11m): After failing to justify himself and being dubbed the natural heir to Messi in the past, Fati's permanent transfer from the club is the most emotional departure this summer. The forward joined Monaco on loan last season and the club finally agreed to buy him for 11 million. For Barca, the move of Fati's huge wage budget proved incredibly significant and crucial to their plans.
- Inaki Pena to Panathinaikos (3m): The 27-year-old backup keeper has joined the Greek Super League on a permanent transfer for 3 million after a long service to Barcelona as Flick looks to decide who will start between the posts next season.
The heavyweight departure: Robert Lewandowski
- Robert Lewandowski to Chicago Fire (Free Transfer): The veteran Polish striker at the age of 37 has ended his European career and has moved to Major League Soccer, joining Chicago Fire. Although not providing any profit from a transfer fee, the release of Lewandowski's significantly deferred, salary off of the book has served as the biggest financial victory for Laporta this summer.
The Ajax duo: Ter Stegen and Torrents
With Pena already out of the door, two goalkeepers have left Barcelona as Ter Stegen has headed to Dutch heavyweights Ajax, along with Jofre Torrents
- Marc-Andre ter Stegen to Ajax (Loan): Among the more complicated deals this summer is the loan of veteran German keeper Ter Stegen to Ajax where he will link up with his former Girona boss Michel. However, the deal is not financially favourable for Barca, with reports suggesting that the Catalan club will still be paying 90% of Ter Stegen's enormous salary.
- Torrents to Ajax (Loan): Along with Ter Stegen, Torrents will also be moving to the Eredivisie, with the young prospect heading to Ajax on a standard loan deal.
The sales of Fati, Pena and Lewandowski provided Barcelona with the breathing space they so desperately needed, although the messy Ter Stegen deal illustrates just how difficult it is for Barcelona to get good deals from their departures. The summer purge has successfully commenced, however there is still significant business to be done at Barcelona.
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