Barcelona puts up Coutinho and 17 other players for sale to pay debt

Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembele are among the players whose careers at the Nou Camp could be cut short this summer if Joan Laporta wields the axe.

Barcelona has reportedly placed 18 players on the transfer list in order to reduce their mountainous debt.

The Spanish club is desperate to cut costs with over £862 million owed to them and their wage bill only rising as new players arrive, with more signings on the way.

President Joan Laporta has been conducting an internal audit of the club’s finances and is now looking to offload a number of key players to help them get their books in order.

Philippe Coutinho is a prime candidate to be sold, with Barcelona executives having run out of patience with the Brazilian, while Antoine Griezmann represents their best chance of attracting a large sum of money.

Striking a deal for either player, however, could be difficult in the current market, with Barcelona still valuing Coutinho at around £50 million and Griezmann slightly higher.

Those on large salaries are also being considered, particularly Sergio Busquets, who is one of the highest-paid players at the Nou Camp.

According to Goal, Laporta is planning to meet with players like Busquets about taking a pay cut. The two new City signings, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, have increased the urgency of a quick sale.

Memphis Depay is also expected to join on a free transfer from Lyon with a sizable wage. After appearing to lose out on signing Georginio Wijnaldum due to PSG refusing their offer, Barcelona executives are keen not to be in a similar situation with any of their other targets.

Moving on Samuel Umtiti, Junior Firpo, Martin Braithwaite, and Matheus Fernandes, who are all likely to attract bidders for reasonable fees, can save money. Miralem Pjanic does not appear to be in Ronald Koeman’s plans, and Barcelona could increase their bank balance by selling him, but finding a buyer might be more difficult given his value of £70million only last summer.

There are a number of other players who may be made available if inquiries are made. Ousmane Dembele has yet to sign a contract extension and will be marketed to potential suitors if he does not sign new terms. Barca is afraid of losing Dembele for nothing in 2022 and is willing to do business for around €50 million (£43 million) this summer if he does not want to play ball.

Meanwhile, Sergio Dest, Gerard Pique, Riqui Puig, Francisco Trincao, and Emerson Royal are all ‘at risk.’ Barcelona’s priority remains tying Lionel Messi down to a new contract but he is expected to sign an extension to stay at the Nou Camp.

---www.idogh.com

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