Barcelona’s transfer plans have changed drastically over the past week due to their player registration issues.
The Catalans are yet to register Jules Kounde and need to generate in excess of €20 million to be able to do so. And with Frenkie de Jong reluctant to leave the club, they are being forced to sell other players so that they can register Kounde and any other player who might come in.
Memphis Depay’s fate has been sealed for quite some time this summer and the Dutchman is nearing a transfer to Juventus, with a move likely to be announced as early as today.
Along with Depay, another forward in the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could leave the club before the transfer window closes. The 33-year-old is on the radars of Chelsea and talks over a move have been picking up pace over the past week.
If both Depay and Aubameyang leave, Barça could get depleted in the centre-forward slot, as Robert Lewandowski would be the only natural No. 9 left in the squad. Hence, reports indicate that they might decide to sign another low-cost striker to address that issue.
Alternatively, Portera Nunez reports that Barcelona might decide to keep Ez Abde at the club rather than allowing him to leave on loan.
The Moroccan winger has been heavily linked with a loan exit this summer following the arrival of Raphinha, the re-signing of Ousmane Dembele and the return from injury of Ansu Fati.
However, with the attacking unit likely to be weakened with the impending exits of Depay and Aubameyang, Abde could be given a chance to come good at the first-team level.
The 20-year-old is a winger by trade but his retention in the squad would allow Xavi to utilise either Fati or Ferran Torres through the middle as Abde’s availability would maintain the depth in the wide areas.
It remains to be seen what course of action Barcelona decide to take as they will be hoping to sort out their transfer business at the earliest possible.