Reports indicate that Barcelona is actively seeking to offload three surplus defenders in the near future.
In the wake of an impressive campaign that saw Barcelona rise above their early European exits and dominate La Liga, the Catalan giants are now turning their attention to a much-needed revamp of their defensive line. Reports suggest that the club is actively working to offload three surplus defenders, signaling a clear intent to reshape their squad under the guidance of manager Xavi.
Despite well-documented financial constraints, Barcelona’s hierarchy remains hopeful that their recent success on the pitch will alleviate some of the club’s fiscal burdens. However, adhering to La Liga regulations necessitates significant player departures, ideally through lucrative transfer deals.
The defenders in question are Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, and Sergino Dest. Barcelona is determined to facilitate their departures as they seek to make room for new acquisitions during the upcoming transfer window.
Umtiti, once considered a linchpin of Barcelona’s defense, has seen his career marred by a knee injury. However, the French World Cup winner has shown signs of rejuvenation during the 2022-23 season, making a notable impact on loan at Lecce. Despite his temporary club’s modest 16th-place finish in Serie A, Umtiti played a key role in bolstering their defensive record, which ranked ninth in the league.
Lenglet, on the other hand, experienced a less successful loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, failing to make a substantial impact despite being given a fair amount of game time in the Premier League. The French center-back’s contributions coincided with Spurs conceding a disappointing 63 goals in 38 matches, raising questions about his defensive prowess.
Dest, the youngest of the trio, endured a lackluster loan stint at AC Milan. Limited to just four starts and nine substitute appearances, the American full-back struggled to make a significant impression. However, his four starts for the United States during the 2022 World Cup provided a glimmer of hope amidst an otherwise underwhelming season.
Considering potential transfer fees, Barcelona is reportedly willing to entertain offers in the region of €10m (£8.6m) for Lenglet, while a similar fee is expected for the promising Dest. In the case of Umtiti, negotiations may prove more complex due to his substantial wages and the three years remaining on his contract. Rumors suggest that his former club, Lyon, could be monitoring the situation with keen interest.