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An embarrassing exit from the 2018/19 Champions League season has somewhat marred the good work that the Barcelona team had managed to do domestically in the recently concluded campaign. Despite the La Liga title, the aspirations of this club lie elsewhere and to fulfil that, the management has been working hard in the transfer window.
While the arrival of Antoine Griezmann will bolster this attack, while Frenkie de Jong will help settle the midfield of the club in the long-run. Although the club does look good in most of the areas, a few signings in the midfield and the defence could help Barcelona tackle their strengthened La Liga rivals Real Madrid next season.
However, having made a few expensive signings in the previous transfer windows, the club might have to sell some of the players in the upcoming weeks to fund any further signings in this transfer window. Ernesto Valverde must decide on the players who will not feature in his plans next season and should look to sell them this summer.
On that note, here are 3 players who should leave the club by the end of this transfer window.
#3 Malcom
Despite hijacking Roma's move for this player, Barcelona have been unable to offer sufficient game time to the 22-year-old Brazilian winger. Malcom made just 24 appearances for Barcelona in his debut season of which only 15 came in La Liga. With the arrival of Antoine Griezmann, this number could go down next season.
Malcom too has not been great on his part. He failed to replicate the form he showed at Bordeaux as the talented player managed to score only 4 goals in the opportunities that he got. Representing a club like Barcelona, Malcom could have been better with his performances.
Hence, it would be a good option for him to restart his career at a different club from next season onwards.
#2 Rafinha
Being injury prone and having failed to make use of all his opportunities, Rafinha could be looking down the barrel at Barcelona. The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, and Arturo Vidal are ahead of him in the pecking order in the midfield and this could well eliminate Rafinha's playing time at the club next season.
Barcelona could still require funds to make a few signings this summer and hence, a few players could be sold this summer. With his presence at the club helping neither him nor Barcelona, it would be best if Rafinha leaves the Catalans in this transfer window.
#1 Samuel Umtiti
At the end of the 2017/18 season, France's Samuel Umtiti was considered as a long-term solution for Barcelona's defence and an ideal partner to Gerard Pique in the current setup. After his successes at the World Cup last year, Umtiti was expected to continue his performances for his club.
However, injuries and lack of form reduced Umtiti's game time last season in which he put on the Barcelona shirt just 14 times. A reliable performer who could be available for selection every week is a priority for Ernesto Valverde and it seems that Umtiti does not fit this bill.
Umtiti still has decent value in the market and it could just be the right time for Barcelona to make use of it.
