The US Tour will put Barça's fringe players in the shop window

The US Tour will put Barça's fringe players in the shop window

El Barça tiene previsto dar minutos en la gira a futbolistas con los que no se cuenta esta temporada. El escenario es el ideal para que jugadores como Digne, André Gomes. Aleix Vidal o Rafinha puedan lucirse / | Miki Soria

Valverde is set to name everyone who has started preseason with the first team in his squad for the US Tour with the exception of Douglas Pereira

Ernesto Valverde will include all of the first team players available to him, even those who are expected to leave the club this summer, in his Barcelona squad for their tour of the United States.

The only exception to this is Douglas Pereira who is very close to finalising his loan move to Turkish side Sivasspor.

André Gomes will travel

Over the last few days the club has considered leaving those whose future lies away from the Camp Nou in Barcelona. The most obvious name there would be Andre Gomes, who has been linked with a move to Valencia and Arsenal.

Barcelona believe it would add more value if they were available for selection on the US tour as they improve their fitness against top level opposition. Barcelona will play Tottenham, Roma and Milan during their stay in America. This might prove to be the best shop window available. Keeping the players away from the team by leaving them back in Barcelona wouldn't have the same effect.

For this reason André Gomes, Lucas Digne, Jasper Cillessen, Rafinha Alcántara, Munir El Haddadi and Marlon Santo will all travel with the squad to the US despite none of them appearing to have a future at the club.

it makes sense for sporting reasons too

You need to also consider the sporting side of matters. All of the players mentioned have been working since the beginning of preseason and will form the base of the team for the friendlies in the US. And, for some members of the squad, they might even be needed for the Spanish Super Cup match against Sevilla on the 12th August.

It's important to remember that the majority of Barcelona's regular starting lineup were involved at the World Cup. They won't return to training until later on in the month. This means they're unlikely to be ready to be thrown into matches straight away.

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