The summer transfer window is fast approaching, and Barcelona are one of the clubs that will have to get busy in it. The Catalans have already confirmed that they won’t be going for any big transfers this summer and instead focus on keeping their current squad members.
However, to avoid breaking their growing Financial Fair Play issues, they will also have to either sell or let go of some players. And it seems the likes of Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto may have to say goodbye.
Marcos Alonso will depart Barcelona as a free agent after the season
Marcos Alonso is now almost certain to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. The Spaniard has seen very limited playing time this season, and the club now consider his exit a necessary one. Soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news saying that both club and player have mutually decided this, with both parties respecting each other.
He was used heavily last season to provide cover for Alejandro Balde, even helping them massively in the La Liga title win. But the arrival of Joao Cancelo means his importance has waned. Manager Xavi Hernandez does not seem to trust the player and has been on the bench all season. In fact, he is the player with the fewest minutes, with only 299 minutes to show. Injuries have also affected, with a major back issue sidelining him for a while.
🚨🔵🔴 Understand Marcos Alonso will leave Barcelona as free agent at the end of the current season.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 1, 2024
Massive respect between club and player but he’s leaving in June, decision made.
🇪🇸 Sergi Roberto could also leave for free but final decision will also depend on Xavi’s future. pic.twitter.com/Ec6b7bZAWP
His exit would massively help the club with their wage bill, and the fact that they had acquired him for free from Chelsea in 2022 means they will not register any losses. Previous reports had suggested Atletico Madrid would try to convince the player to join them.
Sergi Roberto likely going to follow Marcos Alonso to leave Barcelona
Alongside Marcos Alonso, his Spanish teammate and captain of the club, Sergi Roberto, is also linked with an exit. Unlike Alonso, Roberto has been important for the club, and the manager’s trust in him. However, with Xavi deciding to leave the club, the player’s future is also at risk.
The previous notion was that Roberto would also leave the club as a free agent. They were willing to wait for a new manager to be appointed in order to decide that future. But some reports suggest the club is now deciding to renew his contract for another year in lieu of his recent performances. If the club manages to keep Xavi, there is no doubt he will want to keep Roberto.
🚨🇪🇸 | Sergi Roberto could leave this summer but it will all depend on Xavi’s future.
— Bᴀʀᴄ̧ᴀVᴇʀsá´‡ (@BarcaVerse_) April 1, 2024
[🟢: @FabrizioRomano] pic.twitter.com/W88r328SMd
However, the vast majority of sources think that Roberto is expected to leave the club as they want to cut their wage bill. It does remain to be seen what happens, with the final decision up to whether Xavi decides to stay at the club.
Barcelona will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, and Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto may have a role to play.
