A way out is the only option for Barça's discarded players

One of many the questions addressed by Xavi Hernandez in his appearance before the match against Juventus in Dallas was the future of the five players ruled out for the tour. Neto, Mingueza, Riqui Puig, Umtiti and Braithwaite are at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper waiting for their respective situations to be resolved. The Catalan coach has made it clear that he will not keep them out of the squad, but also stated that he hopes that all these cases will be resolved before the end of the summer transfer market.

"I was very clear with them since May. They are looking for solutions. We are trying to help them so they can have the opportunity to play. They already know that here it will be impossible and that they have to look for a team. We have time, but they know how their situation is," he said at a press conference. The coach could not have been any clearer in his appraisal of the five players he is not counting on.

Mingueza has offers from LaLiga, Neto from Napoli and Fulham, and Umtiti was not able to complete a proposal from France because of doubts about his fitness. Some clubs have flirted with Riqui Puig and Braithwaite, but none have taken the final step. The solution is not easy because they all hope to reap the value of the remaining years of their contracts before accepting any of the options on the table.