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Barcelona have a crucial summer transfer window coming up. With Lionel Messi's future yet to be decided and a lot of financial constraints due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Catalan giants will need to act intelligently in the transfer market to strengthen their squad.
To strengthen their squad, however, Barcelona will need to sell first to raise funds and free up some wages to sign new players. Ronald Koeman and new president Joan Laporta will need to move swiftly and clinically into the transfer market to ensure Barcelona have a competitive squad next season.
Without much ado, let us take a look at:
5 players Barcelona need to sell this summer
#5 Junior Firpo
One player who has consistently been linked with an exit from Barcelona in the last few months is Junior Firpo. The Spanish defender does not have the trust of manager Ronald Koeman and a move away from the club would suit everyone involved.
The left-back has made just 6 apperances for the Blaugrana in the league this season wth 4 of them coming off the substitute bench. Still only 24, Firpo's pace and crossing ability could be useful for many sides in Europe.
Things have just not worked out for the Spaniard at Camp Nou and a move away from Barcelona could resurrect the career of the the former Real Betis full-back.
#4 Samuel Umtiti
Part of Barcelona since 2016, Samuel Umtiti's career has taken a dramatic downturn in the last few months. The World Cup winning defender has suffered from form and fitness issues with injuries hindering him massively.
The 27-year-old French defender has made only 5 starts in the league this season with his inconsistent performances increasingly coming under the scanner. The emergence of young center back talents like Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza has pushed Umtiti further down the pecking order.
Contracted with Barcelona until 2023, Umtiti could fetch a decent price in the transfer market. Left-footed center backs are in high demand and Barcelona will be hoping to find a suitor willing to pay upwards of €20 million for the injury prone Frenchman.
#3 Martin Braithwaite
Barcelona surprised the world when they signed Martin Braithwaite from Leganes in February 2020. The 29-year-old Danish striker has been decent whenever called upon. However, Braithwaite simply does not have the ability to influence matches singlehandedly or guide the Catalans to major trophies on his own.
A versatile forward capable of playing through the center or on the wings, Braithwaite should be sold in the coming summer transfer window to reduce Barcelona's wage bill and open up space for some potential new signings in attack.
The emergence of Pedri and Francisco Trincao is another factor Barcelona will have to consider. Blaugrana would be wise to cash in and sell Braithwaite for the right price if the right opportunity presents itself.
#2 Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho's transfer to Barcelona has definitely not gone according to plan. Seen as the perfect stylistic match for Barcelona, the diminutive Brazilian made a much talked about move from Liverpool in 2018.
One of the most expensive transfers in football history, Coutinho never really got going at Barcelona and always seemed to struggle for either form or fitness. Currently recovering from an external meniscus injury, the talented Brazilian has been out since January for Barcelona.
With Liverpool having structured his deal intelligently, Barcelona have had to make a lot of additional payments. One of the highest earners at the club, Coutinho is still only 28 and could definitely still make a massive impact at the right club.
For Barcelona to rebuild and sign marquee players next season, Joan Laporta and Ronald Koeman will be desperate to sell Coutinho in the upcoming transfer window and raise some money.
#1 Antoine Griezmann
The inclusion of Antoine Griezmann might be harsh on this list, but it is safe to say that he has not had the impact Barcelona fans thought he would have at Camp Nou.
The French forward has put in some good and energetic displays this season having scored 8 goals and assisted a further 6 in the league this season. However, at 30-years-old, the forward's market value is quickly dropping and Barcelona will have to act fast if they want some good money.
Also, Griezmann and Lionel Messi have never really dovetailed well on the field and it could be the perfect time to look at a new marquee forward to lead the line at Barcelona next season.
Also read: 10 most valuable football players in the world - March 2021
