Friday, March 29, 2024

The Barcelona superstars who are being pushed out of the exit

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While Barcelona might have entered the international break with a thumping 6-1 win against Real Sociedad, their issues behind the scenes have received plenty of headlines this year.

Although Ronald Koeman’s men might have been linked with potential moves for both Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland at the end of the season, their budget could be decided by who they can get out of the Nou Camp.

Crashing out of the Champions League earlier in the month and in an uphill battle to recapture their La Liga crown, there is no doubting that Barcelona’s aging squad requires some much-needed attention.

With many speculating on who could be on their way out of Catalonia this summer, we have taken a look at three superstar names who look to being pushed towards the exit.

Antoine Griezmann

While Antoine Griezmann might have bagged France’s winner in their 1-0 victory away in Bosnia on Wednesday night, the 30-year-old has struggled to find his feet since making the move to the Nou Camp.

With constant speculation surrounding his relationship with six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, many around Catalonia feel that the Frenchman has failed to match the £107million that Barca paid for him back in 2019.

Despite finding the net in back-to-back La Liga contests when heading into March’s international break, he has mustered himself just 29 goals in 88 games for the Spanish giants.

With Barcelona making it no secret that they must slash their stacked wage bill this summer, Spanish outlet Don Balon reported earlier in the week that getting Griezmann out of the exit is one of their top priorities.

However, while Koeman’s side might be looking to move Griezmann on this summer, the forward is sat on a deal worth in the region of £600,000-per-week and Don Balon’s article suggests Manchester United and PSG have ruled themselves out of any possible move.

Miralem Pjanić

With it heavily reported over the past months that Koeman has his heart set on bringing Georginio Wijnaldum over from Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, the future of Miralem Pjanić appears to be up on the air.

The Bosnian ace only joined Barcelona last summer in a deal that saw Brazilian midfielder Artur Melo move to Juventus in the opposition direction.

However, although many thought that the 30-year-old would flourish out in Spain, Pjanić has really failed to play any part in Koeman’s plans this season and has made just six La Liga starts.

With teenage sensation Pedri only continuing to impress the Barcelona hierarchy, Pjanić spoke to Mundo Deportivo in an interview last week about his desire to be handed an opportunity under the former Holland boss.

However, with Koeman desperate to find a way to tempt Wijnaldum away from Anfield when his contract expires this summer, it has been reported that Chelsea would be keen on striking a deal to bring Pjanić to the Premier League.

Philippe Coutinho

Although Philippe Coutinho’s highly publicised move to Barcelona back in 2018 might have been world football’s biggest story, the Brazilian has endured nothing short of a Spanish nightmare.

Really failing to find any level that saw him blow away the Premier League during his time with Liverpool, the 28-year-old has quickly become Barcelona’s forgotten man and it is no secret that Koeman’s side are desperate to cash in.

Costing Barcelona a fee of £142million only three years ago, Coutinho spent last season on loan with Bayern Munich winning the Champions League before the German’s rejected the chance to make his move a permanent one.

While Koeman’s arrival at the Nou Camp might have had some believing that the play-maker could be handed a new lease of life, Coutinho has found himself on the sidelines with yet another injury issue.

With Barcelona confirming earlier in the week that the Brazilian has traveled to his home country to receive further treatment on a long-term knee injury, Coutinho has not featured since December 29th.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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