Ernesto Valverde's reign at Barcelona has officially begun. The new manager wants changes made at the club as soon as possible.
With the transfer window fast approaching, he's made a list of the players he wants to sign. Apart from that, he's also made a list of players he does not want in his squad next season.
According to SPORT, there are five first teams players on the list of the ones who will be sold in the summer. Here are the five players reportedly on the transfer list at Camp Nou:
#5 - Jeremy Mathieu
It was Valverde who converted Mathieu into a central defender from a left-back when he was at Valencia. However, the manager is not willing to work with the defender once again.
Barcelona signed Mathieu from Valencia 3 seasons ago for a fee reported to be €20 million. The defender did not manage to establish himself in the starting XI and was often called on when Pique or Mascherano were unfit.
The defender's career at Camp Nou is now set to end this summer. Valverde wants to bring in a young centre-back who can become Samuel Umtiti's long-term partner, and thus wants to sell Mathieu.
#4 - Arda Turan
Arda Turan is already on the way out according to recent reports. He has agreed terms with Arsenal and is waiting for the clubs to agree on a fee for him.
Barcelona want €30 million for the Turkish international, for whom they paid €34 million 2 seasons ago. However, the Gunners are willing to fork out just €25 million for him, and the talks are stalled.
Despite all this, he is certainly not going to be at Camp Nou next season. Valverde does not see him as a part of his squad and has made it clear to the board.
Apart from Arsenal, Inter Milan, Galatasaray and several Chinese Super League clubs are ready to sign him. The forward however is keen on joining Arsenal as he wants to play in the Premier League.
#3 - Lucas Digne
Signed from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, the left-back was tipped to replace Jordi Alba in the starting XI. His performance at AS Roma impressed Luis Enrique a lot, and he signed him up straight away.
However, things did not work out as expected. Digne failed to live up to the expectations. Jordi Alba retained his place in the starting XI and is set to remain at Camp Nou while the youngster leaves.
Valverde wants to sign a 'better' left-back this summer and is ready to sell Digne. Lyon are keen on signing him, and Barcelona are reportedly open to negotiations with the Ligue 1 club.
#2 - Aleix Vidal
Valverde wants the club to sign a right-back at any cost this summer. Arsenal's Hector Bellerin is Barcelona's #1 target for the transfer season, and the talks have already begun.
Vidal was not a regular under Luis Enrique last season after he fell out with the manager. He was finally called up, and when he started performing well, he got injured.
Sergio Roberto will remain as the back-up to the new right-back they sign this summer and Vidal is bound to be sold. Valverde is not impressed with Aleix who is reportedly a target for Chelsea.
#1 - Javier Mascherano
Easily the biggest name on the list. Javier Mascherano has regularly been starting for Barcelona in recent seasons and has been combining well with Pique, however, he will not be in the squad next season.
The Argentine is in his 30's, and Valverde wants to build a team with youngsters. Marquinhos, Davison Sanchez and Aymeric Laporte are the players who are on the wish-list.
Laporte is the top priority for Valverde as he has worked with him at Athletic Bilbao. The Frenchman is also keen on joining Barcelona this summer.
Mascherano is a target for Chinese Super League sides and is reportedly considering a move there. He wants to retire at River Plate but still, has 2-3 years of top flight football left in him easily.
