Joan Laporta led Barca board continues to readjust the club’s fortunes while waiting for the commissioned audit report. So far, it’s been a hot summer, spearheaded by the Messi contract extension.

From the news reports, Lionel Messi has signed a contract extension but a few dots remain. Primarily, the problem is the wage bill, which has put FC Barcelona in a tight corner.

• GONE

Some players have been sold so far, just a month before the end of the transfer window. Although there may be future sales, here are the ones that have been completed –

• Trincao
• Jean-Claire Todibo
• Konrad De La Fuentes
• Junior Firpo
• Carles Alena
• Juan Miranda
• Matheus Fernandez

• GOING

Antoinne Griezmann has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. Apparently, of all the top players Barca could sell to generate funds and free up the wage bill, he is the best bet to command a huge transfer fee.

There’s been alleged talks that the sister, who is also his agent,  has alerted some Premier League club’s about his availability. However, it is being touted that the most likeliest destination for the French forward is back to his former club, Atletico Madrid.

If the rumour tabloids are to be believed, Atleti are interested in a swap deal that will see Saul Niguez going the other way.

As for Dembele, the club has scheduled a meeting with him next week for contract talks. His long term injury has probably made it certain he won’t be sold this summer. But, it is alleged that the Blaugrana will be seeking to extend his stay with them which expires in 2023. The general belief is that Ousmanne Dembele is an unpredictable wild card.

Although Coutinho has now surmounted the injury scare that hampered his season, Barca is not willing to loan him out if they will also pay up to half of his salary. According to reports, it’s either outright sale or nothing. Should the Brazilian be retained at the club, Koeman has stated that he will be an integral part of his squad.

The jury is still out on Miralem Pjanic and whether he will be returning to Juventus, staying or seeking greener pastures elsewhere. Same thing for Denmark International, Martin Braithwaite.

Samuel Umtiti’s situation right now is unpredictable. There were rumours that Barca offered to pay him off but he refused. At the moment, the club is willing to sell him but suitors are scarce. Save for any upturn in fate, he will likely be part of the squad next season.

• STAYING

Some players in the team need not bother about their future at the moment. Although anything can happen between now and the end of August, we know for certain that these players are not going anywhere –

• Marc Andre Ter Stegen
• Pedri Gonzalez
• Frenkie De Jong
• Gerard Pique
• Jordi Alba
• Sergino Dest
• Ronald Araujo
• Oscar Mingueza
• Ansu Fati
• Sergio Busquets
• Illaix Moriba
• Clement Lenglet

Riqui Puig is also likely to stay, even though it doesn’t seem like Koeman fancies the potential everyone else sees in him. The fate of Neto remains unknown at the moment, although it is very likely that he will be staying.

We don’t know the fate of fringe players like Monchu, Alex Collado, Moussa Wague,  Santiago Ramos Mingo and third choice goalkeeper, Inaki Pēna.

• ADDITIONS

To compete favourably next season, Barca has also made a few reinforcements to the team.

Memphis Depay, Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero, Eric Garcia, Demir and Emerson Royal has been added to boost the squad. Also, there is the recent contract extension of Lionel Messi which will keep him at the club till 2026.

FC Barcelona is expected to make other reinforcements before the end of the transfer window on August 31st, 2021.