Stay or Go? Deciding Which Players Barcelona Should Keep & Offload This Summer

Lionel Messi
Barcelona missed out on the La Liga title this season | Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

After a disappointing season which saw them beaten to the title by arch rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona go into an important summer in dire need of a reshuffle.

The main concern for the Blaugrana is the age of the squad, with a number of first-team players now the wrong side of 30.

Here is a closer look at the Barcelona squad and whether they should be kept at the Camp Nou.

Marc-Andre ter StegenMarc-Andre ter Stegen
Ter Stegen has been fantastic for Barcelona since signing in 2014 | David Ramos/Getty Images

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (STAY) – Since Claudio Bravo’s move to Manchester City, ter Stegen has taken the number one shirt at Barcelona and established himself as one of the world’s very best goalkeepers.

Neto (STAY) – The former Juventus man may have made only two league appearances this season, but in Neto, Barcelona have one of the best back-up goalkeepers in the world.

Inaki Pena (GO) – It will take something special for Pena to oust ter Stegen from the goalkeeping spot, and with the 21-year old’s contract expiring next summer, expect Barcelona to cash in on the Spaniard.

Arnau Tenas (STAY) – The 19-year old recently signed a three-year contract at the Camp Nou, with an option to extend for a further two years, so the club clearly see something in him.

Jordi AlbaJordi Alba
Alba signed for Barcelona in 2012 | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Nelson Semedo (STAY) – The Portuguese international may not be setting the world alight at the Camp Nou, but he did feature in 32 La Liga games last season, scoring once and assisting twice. His pace and energy is a useful asset to the team.

Sergi Roberto (STAY) – Roberto may not be a superstar, but his versatility is vital to the Catalan giants. Roberto has played as a right-back, central midfielder and on the wing.

Jordi Alba (STAY) – The pacy Spaniard may be getting older, but he still has plenty to offer. His bombing runs down the left and his connection with Lionel Messi are notable features of Barcelona’s play.

Junior Firpo (STAY) – The 23-year old will have been frustrated with his lack of game time this season. However, should he stick around for a couple more years, Firpo may find himself in the starting XI more regularly, with teammate Jordi Alba turning 31 last March.

Emerson (GO) – The Brazilian right-back was supposed to stay at Real Betis on loan for the 2020/21 season, however Barcelona are expected to cancel the loan a year early and sell Emerson, with several Premier League clubs believed to be interested.

Juan Miranda (GO – On loan) – Miranda failed to impress last year at Schalke, with his two-year loan being ended early. However, at just 20 years old, maybe it is too early for Barcelona to give up on him just yet.

Moussa Wague (GO) – The Senegalese right-back made little impression on loan at Nice, with the French club opting not to take up the option to sign the 21-year old on a permanent basis. Wague’s performances at the 2018 World Cup may give him some market value.

Dani Morer (GO) – At 22 years old, Morer is yet to make an appearance for the first-team. The Barcelona B man should look elsewhere for game time.

Sergio Akieme (GO) – Just like Morer, Akieme is yet to make an appearance for the Barcelona first-team, with reports suggesting that the Blaugrana are ready to offload the 22-year old.

Samuel UmtitiSamuel Umtiti
Umtiti is likely to go in the summer | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Gerard Pique (STAY) – Despite turning 33 last February, former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique is still one of the world’s best in his position, starting 43 games in all competitions.

Clement Lenglet (STAY) – The Frenchman is a nailed on starter for Barcelona.

Samuel Umtiti (GO) – Constant injury woes and the form of Pique and Lenglet have seen the World Cup winner fall down the pecking order at Barcelona, with reports saying that Umtiti has been told he can leave.

Ronald Araujo (STAY) – If Umtiti was to leave this summer, it would give Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo more first-team minutes. The 21-year old made six appearances last campaign, and did not concede a single goal while on the pitch.

Jean-Clair Todibo (GO) – The young Frenchman was loaned to Schalke last January with an option to buy. This suggests that Todibo is viewed as expendable by Barcelona.

Jorge Cuenca (GO – On loan) – Aside from one Copa del Rey fixture, Cuenca hasn’t made an appearance in the last two seasons, with a metatarsal fracture keeping him out for large parts of the 19/20 campaign. However, he is still young, so maybe still has something to offer.

Ivan RakiticIvan Rakitic
Rakitic isn’t popular among Barcelona fans | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Sergio Busquets (STAY) – At 32 years old, the Spaniard remains one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. His class and composure would be missed at the Camp Nou.

Frenkie de Jong (STAY) – The Dutchman has not had an ideal start to life in La Liga, but still has the potential to be one of the very best midfielders in the world.

Ivan Rakitic (GO) – Once an important figure in the Barcelona side, Rakitic has grown increasingly unpopular among the fans. A move for the Croatian would be best for all parties involved.

Arturo Vidal (GO) – Despite his age, Arturo Vidal is still a useful player – often filling in at LW due to injuries in Barcelona’s front line. However, with the Chilean’s contract expiring next summer, Vidal may be sold while he still has value.

Riqui Puig (STAY) – The youngster was hugely impressive after the restart, drawing high praise and even some comparisons to Barca legend Andres Iniesta. The upcoming season could be a huge one for Riqui Puig.

Rafinha (GO) – It’s never a good sign when you’re being loaned out at 26. Rafinha, brother of Spanish midfielder Thiago, has struggled to make an impact at the Blaugrana since his debut in 2011. With a year left on his contract, expect the Brazilian to be on his way.

Carles Alena (STAY) – With Miralem Pjanic arriving from Juventus, it will become even more difficult for Alena to nail down a starting place. However, he is still young, and showed potential in the 18/19 season before his loan to Real Betis.

Monchu (GO – On loan) – As vice-captain of Barcelona B, Spanish midfielder Monchu has scored 13 goals in 66 appearances. There could be a future for the 20-year old, although he may need a loan move to prove his worth.

Oriol Busquets (GO) – Another whose contract is set to expire next summer, Oriol Busquets (not related to Sergio) spent the previous year on loan at FC Twente. He has made one appearance for Barcelona, as a serious knee injury meant he was out of action for large parts of the 18/19 season.

Matheus Fernandes (STAY) – The Brazilian is set to join Barcelona this summer. With a five-year contract and a staggering €300m release clause, expect to see Fernandes get some minutes this season.

Philippe CoutinhoPhilippe Coutinho
Coutinho spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Philippe Coutinho (GO) – Coutinho has sadly flopped at Barcelona, spending the last season on loan at Bayern Munich. The Catalan giants will be lucky to receive half of the £142m they spent on the Brazilian back in January 2018.

Alex Collado (STAY) – Academy graduate Alex Collado has been an integral part of Barcelona B, and is expected to have a bright future.

Pedri (GO – On loan) – Just 17 years old, Spanish attacking midfielder Pedri had an impressive season in the second tier of Spanish football, scoring three and assisting seven for Las Palmas. The Spain youth international will likely spend another season out on loan.

Luis SuarezLuis Suarez
Suarez is past his best | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Lionel Messi (STAY) – Well….duh.

Luis Suarez (GO) – Despite netting 19 times in 34 appearances, it is fairly obvious that the Uruguayan’s best days are behind him. Aged 33 and with just a year left on his contract, Suarez’s value is depreciating, so Barcelona may look to cash in while they can.

Antoine Griezmann (STAY) – The Frenchman’s first season at the Camp Nou has been a bit of a nightmare. However, the former Atletico Madrid man still has undeniable quality, as proven by his exceptional chip against Villarreal.

Ousmane Dembele (STAY) – Injuries have hampered the young Frenchman’s career at Barcelona. However, should Dembele manage to remain injury-free, he could be a valuable asset.

Ansu Fati (STAY) – The 17-year old has had a brilliant debut season, scoring eight times in 32 appearances.

Martin Braithwaite (STAY) – The Danish forward may not be up to the standard of the other forwards that Barcelona have boasted in recent years, but he offers decent enough cover to justify his place in the squad.

Rey Manaj (GO) – The Albanian has scored just once for Barcelona B in six appearances since signing in January. At 23 years of age, Manaj is at a stage in his career where he needs regular minutes, which he simply won’t get at the Camp Nou.

Francisco Trincao (STAY) – Signed from Braga for €31m in January, the Portuguese youngster is expected to feature in Barcelona’s side next season.

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