The most relevant exit move that the sports area is working on remains Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Chelsea and the Gabonese striker began talks more than two weeks ago and have a deal lined up for the next three seasons. The main stumbling block of the operation, however, is the understanding between clubs. The English insist on using Marcos Alonso as a currency to make the transfer cheaper and Barça prefers to treat the two moves independently because they are also looking for a right-back – Alonso is left-handed. The organization wants to have freedom when it comes to using the space freed up by the Gabonese, who has agreed a growing salary and this year became part of the best-paid players in the squad.
After a short period of resistance, Xavi has accepted that Auba becomes an economic engine in order to finish seasoning the staff. The decisions of the Valais coach in the last two League games go in this direction: the ex-Arsenal man did not play a single minute either in Anoeta against Real Sociedad or last Sunday against Valladolid. His upsets in San Sebastian were Ansu Fati and Raphinha, while in the placid victory against the Castilians he gave the testimony in the second half to both the Hispanoguinean and Ferran Torres.
Memphis Depay, who a few days ago saw his signing for Juventus thwarted, has also been kept to zero in this start of the League. Right now he doesn’t have a clear exit option and he knows that if he stays at Barça he will have very little to play with, a fact that could affect his World Cup plans. The departure of the Dutchman and the sale of Aubameyang was the conjunction that Barça needed 10 days ago to make the registration of Kounde, so they are two movements that would serve to compensate for the advancement of Laporta and Olivé to propitiate the debut of the defender French on the third day of the League. Another way would be to find a destination for Sergiño Dest, to whom Xavi has also made it clear that he will not participate. The problem is that the American, who would also need to play before the World Cup, has no firm proposal. If he leaves, it looks like he will be on loan, which would release very little. Less even than Braithwaite.
Foyth goes cold as an injury option
The refusal of the Barça coach to count on Dest coincides with his desire to incorporate a right-back with a defensive spirit. Dismissed via Azpilicueta, the alternative a few days ago went towards Juan Foyth. But apart from his high price – 42 million clause -, the Argentine defender was injured on Sunday in Getafe and will be out for about two months due to a sprained knee, so his arrival at Camp Nou is cooled by a mere question of calendar Three days of intense negotiations in Sant Joan Despí will mark the final composition of the squad, as well as the confirmation of Gavi’s renewal, which is still pending, and the complete registration of Araujo’s new contract. Time is running out, much remains to be done and there are no signs of De Jong leaving or a pay cut or the captains successfully resuming negotiations to redefine their emoluments, which will impact the wage bill by a value greater than 130 million gross.
