Barcelona are running out of time to make the sales they desire this summer, as the season fast approaches. For a third summer in a row, the Catalan side have been aspiring to big sale, but once again it looks as if any business will have to be conducted without funds from the transfer market.
Only Chadi Riad and Marc Guiu have left any money in the accounts for Barcelona this summer, despite the Catalan side earmarking several players for an exit. Ronald Araujo was the big hope, but his injury has ruled out any sale, as has been the case for Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati. Meanwhile Raphinha remains in rude health, but equally as adamant that he will not leave the club, with three years left on his contract.
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In recent weeks, interest from Fenerbahce and Turkiye has been revealed in Ilkay Gundogan, who arrived last summer, and the response has been that Barcelona are open to a sale. The veteran German international cost nothing, and has one of their larger salaries, but Gundogan has let it be known that he has no interest in leaving the club. MD say he is not particularly amused by all of the attention the idea is getting, and has made it clear he has no intention of going anywhere.
There has been some suggestion in the Catalan press that new manager Hansi Flick will discuss his role in the side, and potentially explain that he will not be a key part of his side going forward. This has been coupled with the idea that at no point does Flick or the club intend to force Gundogan out. He has a year left on his deal with an option to extend it for a further year, and given he was Barcelona’s best midfielder last season, will probably like his chances of retaining a spot in the starting XI, in spite of the changes to system and style Flick may want to employ.
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