'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona are one of the top heavyweights in Europe and particularly in Spanish football. Having won 25 La Liga, 30 Copa del Rey and 5 Champions League titles, they have a large fan base all around the world. They are also famous for developing their own footballing philosophy known as 'tiki-taka'. It is a possession-oriented, fascinating style of play which was also successfully used by Spain to win their first ever FIFA World Cup in 2010.
The Blaugrana also have the best player in the world in modern era -- Lionel Messi in their side. Having won the La Liga and Copa del Rey quite comfortably last season, Valverde has his sight firmly fixed on winning the prestigious Champions League title this season. With the recent signings of Clement Lenglet and Malcom, Barcelona have clearly shown their intent of building up a squad which is capable of winning the top prize.
Valverde also wants to reshuffle the squad in order to accommodate new players. In this process, he shouldn’t just sell those players who haven’t performed last season without giving them a last opportunity. Hence, he should be cautious while removing especially the young and talented players, who have been bought for a huge price recently.
Let us have a look at the 3 young talented players who might leave Barcelona in this transfer window:
#3 Yerry Mina
Yerry Mina had an incredible 2018 FIFA World Cup for Colombia. Having scored 3 goals from 3 matches, he equalled the record number of goals scored by a defender at one World Cup. Due to his 6ft 4inch height, Mina scored all 3 goals from corners. His goal against Senegal in the last game of the group was decisive and helped Colombia secure a berth in the knockout stage.
Having been signed by Barcelona from Palmeiras for €11.8million on 11 January 2018, he has started a few games due to the presence of the formidable defensive pair of Umtiti and Pique. With Thomas Vermaelen also there to compete for a place in the starting line-up, it will be a difficult task for Mina to find a spot for himself in the XI.
Hence, there are rumours doing the rounds that Mina is upset with the team management for not getting too many opportunities. He is looking for greener pastures and according to reports, Everton have already registered a £27m bid for him. With the experienced defenders, Ashley William and Phil Jagielka in bad form, Everton are looking for young center-backs and hence Mina is a front-runner candidate for them.
With Wolves and Lyon out of the race, Goodison Park seems to be the likely destination of Yerry Mina if he chooses to leave Barcelona in this transfer window.
#2 Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne is a reliable defensive left-back for Barcelona. He has filled up the left-back for Barcelona quite well during the absence of Jordi Alba due to injury and has proved to be a suitable backup for him. Having represented France in Euro 2016, Digne was probably unlucky to not secure a place in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.
Having made just 46 appearances for Barcelona in two years, the management feels that he hasn’t performed up to his potential and hence are considering to sell him in this transfer window. There are reports that Everton are willing to pay €20 million which has been agreed by Barcelona. Hence, according to reports, Digne has already bid farewell to his teammates.
With the likely departure of Digne, it will be interesting to see which player Barcelona will target as his replacement.
#1 Ousmane Dembele
Dembele, who joined Barcelona for a fee of €105 million from Dortmund, had a difficult first season due to injuries and found no place in the starting line-up. Being young and extremely talented, Dembele was able to show glimpses of what he can do, yet it might not be sufficient enough to guarantee his stay at the Nou Camp.
Despite starting the first group game against Australia for France at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he was relegated to the bench for the remainder of their triumphant campaign. Hence, with all the hype surrounding him, Dembele proved to be a flop at the World Cup.
With the arrival of Brazilian Malcom from Roma for €41 million in this transfer window, competition for a place in the starting XI has increased. Consequently, there are rumours that the arrival of Malcom has incensed Dembele, who will surely have to sit down with the management and talk about his future.
There are reports that Arsenal have emerged as the latest candidates to have developed an interest in Dembele. Barcelona will at least demand the price at which they bought Dembele if they wish to sell him.
