According to reports, Barcelona will have to give up two first-team players in order to bring Lionel Messi back during the upcoming summer transfer window. In order to free up space on the roster and reduce the pay bill, Jordi Alba and Raphinha will need to be sold during the summer.
El Nacional claims that Barcelona is getting closer to bringing Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou. They are a few million short of the La Liga cap, so they are not quite there yet.
According to the report, selling Alba and Raphinha in the summer will be necessary to stay inside the restrictions. Both players have seen significant playing time from Xavi this season, but neither is considered an untouchable by the club.
At Camp Nou, Alejandro Balde has nearly surpassed Alba as the starting left-back. The young player has performed admirably this year and is seen as the team’s future.
Alba has made 23 league appearances for Barcelona this year, only 13 of which have been from the opening kickoff. In the league, the Spanish left-back has two goals and three assists.
Raphinha’s €58 million transfer from Leeds United was completed last summer after Barcelona snatched the contract from Chelsea. Although the Brazilian winger has performed admirably in his first season with the team, rumours indicate that the Blaugrana are concerned about his attitude.
In his 33 games in La Liga, Raphinha has seven goals and seven assists this season for Barcelona.
