With a crucial period beckoning Barcelona as they prepare for the summer transfer window, director Deco and the rest of the sports department have their work cut out.
There is a need for at least one or two high-profile sales in the summer with the aim being to reach the 1:1 Financial Fair Play ruling.
Names like Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski, and Jules Kounde have been touted as possible departees while a large number of the loanees will likely be permanently offloaded as well.
Deco sees Araujo and Raphinha as the likeliest exits
However, as per the latest update from Catalunya Radio, Ronald Araujo and Raphinha are the two players with the most chances to leave in the summer in Deco’s eyes.
Araujo, for his part, has no shortage of interest with both Bayern Munich and Manchester United insisting on his signing.
The Blaugrana, for their part, are looking to hand the Uruguayan international a new contract and retain his services, given how important he is to the team.
However, considering that there has been no response from Araujo yet, Barcelona would not rule out a sale if an agreement is not reached, especially given he will attract a significant fee.
As for Raphinha, the Brazilian has emerged as a key contributor in recent weeks for Barcelona, but with a new forward on the agenda, one of the attackers will have to be sold.
And the former Leeds United man remains in demand, with clubs in the Premier League as well as Saudi Arabia interested. In fact, teams from the Middle East would offer in excess of €80 million for him.
Araujo has constantly stated that he is happy at Barcelona while Raphinha also has no desire to leave at this point. So, quite how Barcelona navigate the situation will be interesting to see.
