Barcelona's 'Operation Exit' not as successful as it looks
Lots of players have left but not for lots of money
Arda, Masche, Rafinha and Deulofeu have gone this month
The only player Barcelona have brought in a decent sum of money for is the one they wanted to keep in the squad: the exit of Neymar destabilised Barça so much that even 'Operation Exit' this month has not brought in the money the club had hoped for.
Barça's intention was to bring in between 40 and 60 million euros in transfers, but with the window set to close this week, the Catalans are short of their targets. Among the players that have left, only Javier Mascherano has brought a fee, and less than expected at around 5.5 million.
As for the rest of the players who have left (Arda, Rafinha and Deulofeu, the most recent to leave), thet have left on loan, a format the club only considered when they realised they had few other options.
The theoretical buyers have preferred a more conservative deal, which doesn't involve a big investment. Barça were obliged to accept, too, as the players did not have a place in Ernesto Valverde's plans for the rest of the season.
At least the club are saving in wages, with İstanbul Başakşehir, Inter and Watford all taking care of Arda, Rafinha and Deulofeu's salaries respectively. As for the latter, Barça could make one million, depending on how he does in the Premier League.
Arda has left for Turkish side Başakşehir on a two-and-a-half year loan, until the end of his contract, and Rafinha's gone to Inter. The Italian club have an option to buy. Watford have no such option on Deulofeu.
SUMMER, JUST Neymar... & Tello
Completing the analysis of what happened in the summer, Barça also struggled to sell, beyond the Neymar deal.
The Brazilian brought in 222 million euros, but Barça only got four million from Tello's move to Real Betis. Masip left for Valladolid for free and Jeremy Mathieu when to Sporting Lisbon, also for free.
All the other players to leave left on loan: Marlon (to Nice for two seasons, Barça can call him back this summer), Munir (to Alaves), Sergi Samper (to Las Palmas) and Douglas (to Benfica).
In total, including the summer and the winter, 11 players have left: Neymar, Masip, Mathieu, Marlon, Samper, Munir, Douglas in the summer; Arda, Rafinha, Deulofeu and Mascherano in the winter. But only Neymar, Mascherano and Tello were paid ofr.
PENDING: Aleix VIDAL
The final case is Aleix Vidal's. Barcelona want 12 million to sell him but not of the interested clubs have offered that sum.
Vidal is a curious case, though, because while the club are happy to sell him, he has been playing for Valverde in recent games. Without going further, he started the Copa del Rey win over Espanyol last week.
