Barcelona kick off big week ahead of January transfer window deals
The club want to move on several players to make room for Ferran and others
"Next week a lot of things are going to happen." This is the phrase that is being repeated from the offices at Barcelona ahead of the January transfer window. The coming days will be key to defining the reconstruction of the team. The club hope to finalise some players exits and announce the signing of Ferran Torres and a new contract for Ousmane Dembele for the next four seasons. From there, they will work on their next objective: a striker or a centre-back, pending on the salary limit remaining.
The priority at the moment are exits -- To make space for new signings, and to be able to give Gavi and Nico first-team numbers. The first to leave will be Yusuf Demir. Barça will end his loan from Rapid Vienna and he is in talks with Bundesliga clubs to make another loan move in January. In this case,e there will be no problems. Meanwhile, Barça are pushing Luuk de Jong to accept a loan offer from Cadiz or bring in another offer before Dec. 31 to leave Camp Nou. The Dutch striker is open to leaving but isn't completely sold on Cadiz.
Samuel Umtiti's situation is more complicated. He knows he won't have minutes and doesn't count at Barça, who hope he will agree to leave on loan or for free in the coming days. They have even suggested rescinding his contract, although that would not help reduce the salary limit. It now all depends on the player and Xavi will speak with him.
Barça are also hoping for developments with Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian knows he won't have minutes and his agents are looking at the Premier League. Barça are ready to help and are starting to feel optimistic about the interest in the former Liverpool man from England. His salary is high and moving him on would be a huge boost in terms of lowering the wage bill and signing another player.
Barça are also working on selling players like Dest and Mingueza, but it's almost impossible that will happen before the end of 2021. The club believe they will have time in January to work on these issues, although they won't undersell anyone. If a good offer doesn't arrive, they will keep both players.
As for incoming, Barça hope to announce Ferran Torres on a five year deal this week. It's all closed and the forward must travel to Barcelona to finalise the move and be presented. Dembele could also renew. Barça hope to announce his new deal this week. It's a key renewal to reduce the salary outgoings.
