Barcelona have been sumptuously active in the transfer market this summer, but most of it has only been in reference to sales up to now. Ansu Fati has already left, as has Alex Valle and Pablo Torre, and there will be others soon to follow in moving towards the exit at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Several stars have been earmarked as certainties to leave Barcelona in the next few weeks and a report by Diario AS has detailed that includes the goalkeeping duo of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Inaki Pena. And the latter is now more likely to leave as he made it public that he wants to be sold this summer.
And Pena is one of three players that Barcelona boss Hansi Flick wants to be sold in the next seven days, says Sport. The club will consider a mutual contract termination to get him off the books and this is also the case for Oriol Romeu who, likewise, will be free to leave imminently.
Flick has told Romeu he is not in his plans so all parties want a quick decision. The veteran midfielder may yet return to Girona, but if he does it will likely be as a free agent, Barcelona eager to cash-out now to get his wages off the payroll.
The third player Flick would be happy to say goodbye to the soonest is Pau Victor, with Barca looking to sell rather than loan him this summer. Young forward who has no real chance of playing next season but will go on the pre-season tour of Asia if a deal is not agreed before Ravenelli leaves.
Flick also willing to let two other players go
Flick would also like Barcelona to offload Ter Stegen and one centre-back (either Ronald Araujo or Andreas Christensen) as well as Pena, Romeu and Victor. But they are not due to be closed soon, and there is tacit acceptance of this
Who is Oriol Romeu?
The former England youth international is already a seasoned midfielder, with a senior career that started at Chelsea and brought him to Southampton. He then remained at Girona, but found it difficult to get minutes under Xavi Hernandez upon returning to Barcelona in 2023. His future is even more uncertain now that Hansi Flick has taken over.
Possible Destinations for Inaki Pena
Although no formal offers have yet been tabled, La Liga sides such as Real Betis and Villarreal are believed to be watching Pena closely. A transfer overseas can also not be ruled out just yet as some Bundesliga clubs are apparently interested in a back-up goalkeeper.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s summer clearout is a financial necessity, but it also represents a huge tactical shift under Hansi Flick. The coming weeks do a lot to shape the Blaugrana's season – on the pitch, and off it.