Barca exit plans ‘collapse’

Barcelona suffered a ‘collapse’ in their plans to shift on a number squad players this week, according to reports in Spain.

Marca states the Blaugrana failed in their targets to shift on four first-team players – Andre Gomes, Arda Turan, Rafinha and Munir El Haddadi – after Ernesto Valverde sanctioned their sales.

The only outgoing success for the club was full-back Douglas joining Benfica on a season-long loan but are now saddled with players on sizable wages who reportedly know they are no longer wanted.

24-year-old Gomes arrived at the Camp Nou last summer from Valencia for €35m, plus a further €20m in add-ons, but has endured an underwhelming debut season.

The Portuguese international featured 47 times for the Blaugrana last season but started only 17 La Liga games and was even played at right-back on occasion.

Arda previously spent five years in the Turkish side’s first team, winning a league, cup and Super Cup during his stint, before joining Atletico Madrid in 2011.

Since moving to the Camp Nou in 2015 the midfielder has struggled to nail down a first-team place, but has scored 19 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions.

Rafinha, 24, has struggled with injuries since rupturing his ACL against Roma in 2015, scoring seven times in 28 appearances last season and reportedly was keen to leave Barca for more first-team opportunities.

Munir netted seven times in 35 league appearances for Valencia last season, having previously spent three years on the fringes of the Catalan club’s first-team.

Tags Andre Gomes Arda Turan Munir El-Haddadi Rafinha
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