Barcelona 'to get rid of six players' in major summer overhaul, including club legend

Barcelona could reportedly part ways with as many as six players in the summer transfer window.

After winning the La Liga title last season, Barcelona’s defence of the championship is not going to plan.

Currently, the Catalan club are in third place in the La Liga table, six points behind second-placed Girona and eight points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

Manager Xavi Hernandez has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, which could be a busy summer window for Barcelona.

According to Spanish news outlet SPORT, Barcelona could sell as many as six first-team players.

Club legend Sergi Roberto along with Marcos Alonso are reportedly certain to leave as their respective contracts are set to expire at the end of the season.

In addition, the likes of Raphina, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde have also been linked with a move away.

It has been reported that Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, wants to bring in a new defensive midfielder, a left winger and a backup left-back to Alejandro Balde.

Also, there is the hope of re-signing Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix, who are currently on loan at the club.

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Due to their ongoing financial problems, it is believed that the number of players they sell will determine how much money they have to spend on new signings.

Explaining his decision to leave the club, Xavi said: “We have reached a point of no return. It's time for change. As a Culé, I think that it's time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.

“Everything will be calmer now, we can compete for the Champions League… at least with this decision, you [the press] won’t kill me anymore. The club will improve with this decision.”

Barcelona will be back in La Liga action this weekend when they take on Granada at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys on Sunday afternoon.