Second week of Barça training Xavi and everything remains the same. everything except Trincao, whom the coach met in the first week since last season he was on loan at Wolverhampton. He has returned the extreme to Portugal and the capital matters of the sports planning of the new Barça project continue without getting off the ground.
has not arrived yet Lewandowski, who is expected tomorrow. But in Munich and not in Barcelona. Bayern starts its preseason today with the Polish striker forming part of the group since Barça’s second offer (40 million fixed plus 10 in variables) does not start him from the Bavarian capital.
Azpilicueta y Mark Alonsothe wingers chosen by Xavi to reformulate his defense from experience and skill to have immediate performance and serve as structural and emotional support for youngsters like Araujo, Pedri or Ansu Fati, continue to work with Chelsea for the United States.
In Leeds he has remained working alone Raphinhathe other extreme that the Terrassa coach is pursuing to refound the attack and supply Lewandowski with balls if The door, through Pini Zahavi, the Pole’s agent, raises the offer. At least, up to 50-55 million fixed for a scorer who will turn 34 on August 21. But Xavi needs it for now. Yesterday, if it had been possible because it is little less than essential. While he does not arrive, the player will be one more of Bayern, who threatens to make him fulfill the year of the contract that still binds them.
???? Reunions ????❤️ pic.twitter.com/4e4ftylqAD
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 11, 2022
Provisional situation
One more, but at Barça, it’s Frenkie de Jong, who opened the door of the locker room at the sports city of Sant Joan Despí as if nothing had happened. For him, everything remains the same because he does not want to leave the Camp Nou, no matter how much his compatriot Ten Hag’s United insist on that transfer.
“Frenkie? I never talk about players who have contracts with other clubs. I’m not going to answer,” said the coach of the English team from Thailand where he is doing the preseason on Monday. “How many signings? We are still looking for players in midfield and in attack,” added Ten Hag, who stressed that “Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale because he is part of our plans.”
In the same provisional situation is Xavi, who wanted to start the summer with his real project. But the difficulties do not stop appearing daily. This Wednesday he debuts in Olot in the first friendly of the preseason and the essential remains unresolved.
Not only the essentials -pieces that would change, and notably, the face of the team and the soul of the squad- but also in the departures chapter, something essential for the coach because he is working with players who do not fit into his plans.
Exits remain stuck
All the disposables, except Trincao, went to the sports city. Minguezawho is not seduced by the offer from Monza, recently promoted to the Italian Serie A. Umtitiintended at the beginning by Rennes, but later discarded. Riqui Puigwhose immediate future is unknown, already exhausted until the last letter from Xavi. Neto, who asks for the letter of freedom because Celta awaits him at the bottom of the negotiating table. Y Braithwaitewho reiterates his desire to fulfill the remaining two years of his contract, despite the interest of second-tier Premier clubs.
Everyone dressed, once again, in Barça, as they did last week Pjanic o hill. They passed some medical tests and trained in the afternoon, while Memphis, another one whose continuity is not guaranteed, walked his wide smile around Sant Joan Despí, subject as it is to the strikers’ dance that should be experienced at Barça.
The return of Ronald… (and his mate) ???????? pic.twitter.com/2JVOlnUOra
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 11, 2022
Related news
If Dembélé is signed again (five years ago it was 105 million + 40 in variables; now it would be 0 euros) and Raphinha ends up arriving, the Dutch striker would be an interesting “economic lever” for Laporta’s board. Not as powerful as what it would mean to execute the sale to United of Frenkie de Jongaround at least 80 million, but Memphis, whose contract ends in 2023, could finance a third of what the Leeds winger would cost with 20 million.
The list of players who have joined training
Araujo, Sergio Busquets, Riqui Puig, Memphis, Braithwaite, Jordi Alba, Ferran Torres, Frenkie De Jong, Mingueza, Umtiti, Eric Garcia, Gavi and Christensen are the players who have joined this Monday’s training sessions with Xavi. Trincao, with the club’s permission, has not attended the morning or evening session because he is in Lisbon negotiating his transfer with Sporting de Portugal.