Xavi planning ruthless clear out with eight Barcelona stars at risk of being axed

Barcelona manager Xavi is planning a ruthless clear out as eight players are at risk of being moved on ahead of the new season. 

The La Liga giants have been splashing the cash in the summer transfer window amid financial troubles. To date, they have brought in Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde. 

However, with the club under mounting financial pressure, the Daily Mirror has reported that Xavi must offload at least eight players from his first team squad in order to meet regulations. 

Currently, Barcelona have 33 players in their first team squad but they are only allowed to register 25 players with authorities. With the club seemingly targeting even more signings, a wholesale clearance is desperately needed. 

So far, the club have shifted the likes of Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves, Philippe Coutinho, Francisco Trincao, Oscar Mingueza and most recently Riqui Puig. 

Whilst Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong returned to their parent clubs upon the expiration of their loan deals. 

Goalkeeper Neto is likely to leave the club with speculations of an imminent move to newly promoted Premier League side Bournemouth. 

With Xavi looking to add two more defenders to his squad, the future of Samuel Umtiti and Sergino Dest are most at risk, the pair is likely to seek a move elsewhere. 

Midfielders Miralem Pjanic, Alex Collado and Frenkie de Jong are facing uncertain futures at the club. Barcelona are desperate to offload Dutchman De Jong as he is currently the top earner at the club. Manchester United and Chelsea remain interested in the 25-year-old but the player himself is not looking to leave. 

It is believed that De Jong is happy and settled in Barcelona, having previously described his transfer to the Camp Nou as his ‘dream move’. The midfielder has also been asked to take a pay cut if he is to stay at the club, De Jong has so far refused to do so.

Barcelona are also hopeful that attackers Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite will leave the club if suitable offers come in. 

This week, it was reported that the future of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang could be in doubt after an approach by Chelsea. 

In addition, the club will also have to reduce their overall wage bill by a huge €160 million. Currently the wage bill is at €560 million, and it needs to be no more than €400 million. 

Xavi now faces a race against the clock as he is tasked with thinning out his squad ahead of the start of their 22/23 La Liga campaign next weekend, against Rayo Vallecano.