Barcelona transfer news: Who should stay and who should go this summer?
The 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield saw Ernesto Valverde’s side knocked out of the Champions League in the teams’ semi-final second leg and the Blaugrana ended the season with a 2-1 defeat to Valencia in the Copa del Rey showpiece in Seville.
Valverde’s job seems safe after some initial uncertainty, but there will be changes this summer as the Catalans look to build a squad capable of conquering Europe after failing to win the continent’s biggest prize since 2014-15.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong has signed from Ajax and will bring quality in midfield, while Barca are also keen on his Dutch international team-mate Matthijs de Ligt. Another forward is also expected to arrive, with Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann wanted by Valverde, although there are doubts about his suitability at board level and also in the dressing room.
With a renewal planned, some players will have turned out for the Catalan club for the last time and here, Standard Sport takes a look at which footballers should stay and which should leave Camp Nou in the summer transfer window…
The German goalkeeper leads by example and has become one of the world’s best since signing for the Catalan club in 2014. Still only 27 years old, the former Borussia Monchengladbach shot-stopper looks set to stay for many more years at Camp Nou.
Verdict: Keep
By contrast, Jasper Cillessen looks like he has played his last game for Barcelona. The Dutch goalkeeper has made just 32 appearances in his three seasons at Camp Nou and most of those have come in the Copa del Rey. He is set to leave now in search of more playing time.
Verdict: Get rid
Barcelona will look to bring in another goalkeeper if Cillessen leaves, but youngster Inaki Pena should continue as the club’s third-choice shot-stopper in 2019-20. The 20-year-old appeared on the bench for the first team on a number of occasions last season and is highly regarded at the Catalan club.
Verdict: Keep
Still Barcelona’s best defender and a leader on and off the pitch, Gerard Pique was excellent at the heart of the Catalans’ back line in 2018-19 and will be again next season. At the age of 32 and without the distraction of international football now, he has several of his best years still ahead.
Verdict: Keep
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Signed from Sevilla last summer, Clement Lenglet quickly became important and the French defender ended up being first choice after Samuel Umtiti’s lengthy spell out through injury. The 23-year-old will be important again in 2019-20, even if De Ligt is signed from Ajax.
Verdict: Keep
At his brilliant best, Samuel Umtiti was a rock for Barcelona in 2017-18, but he has been blighted by a serious knee problem since last summer’s World Cup and has not looked the same since. There are concerns over the state of his knee in the long term and he may be sold if De Ligt arrives this summer.
Verdict: Could leave
Signed from Arsenal in 2014, Thomas Vermaelen’s career at Barcelona will be remembered more for his injuries than for his performances on the pitch, even though he has played some good games for the club. He is out of contract this summer and will not be renewed.
Verdict: Get rid
Signed from Toulouse in January, Jean-Clair Todibo impressed on his debut at Huesca in La Liga and looks to have a promising future. He could stay as the club’s fourth-choice centre-back in 2019-20, but may be allowed to leave on loan in order to gain experience elsewhere.
Verdict: Keep
Although he faded in the latter stages of the season and made mistakes against Liverpool and Valencia, Jordi Alba had a fine campaign overall and remains the best left-back in the world when on form. He has recently signed a new contract and will be staying, although he needs an able back-up.
Verdict: Keep
One left-back who impressed in La Liga last season was Marc Cucurella, although he was used as a winger on loan at Eibar and does not appear to be in the plans of the Catalan club for 2019-20. More suited to an attacking role, he is set to be sold in the summer by Barca.
Verdict: Get rid
Playing as a right-back since he was given that role by Luis Enrique, Sergi Roberto is still not entirely convincing in that position and he has been found wanting in the biggest games. But he is still a big part of the club’s plans and will be going nowhere this summer, even if many would prefer Nelson Semedo to start.
Verdict: Keep
A dependable performer in his two seasons at Barcelona, Semedo is popular among the fans and many believe he should be first choice at right-back for the Catalan club. The player clearly does too and he could leave this summer due to a lack of opportunities. That would be a shame for a player who should be starting on the right side of defence.
Verdict: Could leave
Signed by Barcelona last January and initially loaned to Betis, the Brazilian defender is set to move to the Seville-based club in the summer with the Catalans retaining a buy-back option, so he may never turn out for the Blaugrana.
Verdict: Get rid
Last season was not his finest, but Sergio Busquets remains a very important player for Barcelona and he will be going nowhere in the summer. The midfielder, who has said he may retire within a couple of seasons, looks set to retire at Camp Nou.
Verdict: Keep
After moving up to the first team last summer, Carles Alena impressed for Barcelona – especially in the second half of the season. The La Masia graduate is popular with the fans and at just 21 years old, he should receive more opportunities in 2019-20.
Verdict: Keep
The former Sevilla midfielder had a solid season, but was perhaps showing some tiredness at the end of the campaign after he helped Croatia to the World Cup semi-finals last summer. Now aged 31, he could be sold this summer if a good offer comes in, although he wants to stay and would still be important if he did.
Verdict: Could leave
Bought last summer from Gremio, Arthur added quality to the Barcelona midfield and his play is reminiscent of the great Xavi at times. At just 22, he should be staying at the Catalan club for years to come and fans will be excited to see him lining up alongside De Jong in 2019-20.
Verdict: Keep
A much more combative player, Arturo Vidal started slowly at Barca but finished the season strongly. The Chilean gives Valverde’s side something different with his aggression and competitive edge and he should have a part to play again next term.
Verdict: Keep
Just 18 years of age, Riqui Puig is the next big thing from La Masia. The young midfielder broke through last season and showed glimpses of his talent in his three appearances with the senior side. Fans might have to wait a little longer to see more of the youngster, but he should feature increasingly with the first team from now on.
Verdict: Keep
On loan at Everton last season, Andre Gomes will be back at Camp Nou in the summer. But the Portugal midfielder did not live up to expectations at Barca and he will be up for sale this summer, with a move to the Premier League looking the most likely option.
Verdict: Get rid
Seriously injured in November, Rafinha did not appear again for the remainder of the season and he does not look to have much of a future now at the Catalan club. Out of contract in 2020, the Brazilian international is one of the players the club will be looking to sell this summer.
Verdict: Get rid
Another player who looks certain to leave Barcelona in this transfer window is Denis Suarez. A loan spell at Arsenal did not work out for the midfielder and he ended the season injured. He is now back at Camp Nou, but will be departing again soon and this time it is likely to be a permanent deal.
Verdict: Get rid
Although he was back in his homeland on loan with Istanbul Basaksehir last season, Arda Turan is still a Barcelona player and will return to the Catalan club this summer. He has no future at Camp Nou, though, and will be leaving again this transfer window, probably on a permanent deal this time.
Verdict: Get rid
Things have not worked out for Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona and the Brazilian midfielder was booed by his own fans on a number of occasions last season. With the club needing to raise money to bring in new players this summer, he is one player who could move on and a sale would also save the club money as it would mean they would not need to pay a large chunk of the add-ons agreed with Liverpool in the original deal.
Verdict: Could leave
Like Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele was brought in after Neymar was sold to Paris Saint-Germain. The French forward has seen his two seasons interrupted by injury and problems off the pitch, but is still young and has shown enough promise to suggest he has a big future at Camp Nou.
Verdict: Keep
Signed last summer from Bordeaux, Malcom has done fairly well when called upon in the first time. Unfortunately, that has not been very often. The winger was not wanted by Valverde and his future at the Catalan club is uncertain at best. He has much to offer, but Barca would likely sell if an attractive offer comes in.
Verdict: Get rid
Barcelona do not want to sell Luis Suarez and nor should they. The Uruguayan striker remains first choice in the centre-forward role, even though he has dipped over the past couple of seasons, and will have a big part to play again. Barca need to think about replacing him sooner rather than later, though.
Verdict: Keep, for now
The former Tottenham and AC Milan midfielder was only at Barcelona on loan and he returns to Italian side Sassuolo this summer. The Catalans had an option to make the move permanent for €8m, but there is no reason for them to take that up after an uninspiring few months from the former Ghana international in Spain.
Verdict: Get rid
Ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Valencia, Lionel Messi said he had never considered leaving Barcelona, despite disappointments like the 4-0 loss at Liverpool. The Argentine attacker is more indispensable than ever and he is happy at Camp Nou. Barca hope he will finish his career at the Catalan club and he has been the main reason for their domestic dominance in recent seasons. The captain is 32 this month, but should be around for some time yet.
Verdict: Keep