Despite tempting offers from Saudi Arabia, key Barcelona players are committed to staying with the team. As Barcelona prepares for their match against Valencia, their likely lineup has been revealed, assuming no new signings are made.
Barcelona players set on staying with the team despite tempting offers from Saudi Arabia
Mundo Deportivo reports that Raphinha and Ilkay Gundogan have been offered big deals from Saudi Arabia. However, despite the attractive financial offers, both players are committed to staying in Barcelona and have turned down the chance to move.
Barcelona needs to raise a lot of money right now. The club has said they would gladly accept a big financial boost, especially if players like Raphinha or Gundogan took up the generous offers from Saudi Arabia.
Even though both players have contributed to the team, neither is considered a key part of manager Hansi Flick’s long-term strategy.
With Gundogan nearing his 34th birthday on October 24th and Raphinha turning 28, this may be their final chance to secure a major contract.
Raphinha has received offers
A Saudi club has already offered Barcelona €65 million for Raphinha. However, the Brazilian winger isn’t interested in leaving the team just two years after coming from Leeds United.
There were also rumors about Raphinha moving to Newcastle United, but nothing came of it. The recent signing of Dani Olmo hasn’t affected Raphinha’s position, as he remains dedicated to his role at Barcelona.
He appears to be hoping that Barcelona won’t sign any more players for the left-wing spot, mainly since Nico Williams turned down the chance to join the team.
What’s the situation with Gundogan?
On the other hand, Gundogan, who has received offers from Saudi Arabia and Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, has also rejected the idea of leaving Barcelona.
On a recent visit to Istanbul, Gundogan clarified that he plans to stay with the club for the foreseeable future.
Although his departure might generate less revenue than Raphinha’s potential transfer, it would still notably lower Barcelona’s wage expenses.
Barcelona’s players’ decision to stay is a mixed blessing. On one hand, their commitment reflects the club’s positive environment and eagerness to be part of its future.
On the other hand, accepting these offers could have given Barcelona crucial financial relief, helped balance the budget, and brought in new players who better fit Flick’s vision.
Barcelona’s likely lineup against Valencia if no new players are signed
Barcelona will start the 2024-25 La Liga season this Saturday against Valencia. However, the club is unsure if it will be able to register several key players in time for the game.
These players include Inigo Martinez, Dani Olmo, Pau Victor, Pablo Torre, and Alex Valle. This uncertainty has left Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, with a difficult task as he prepares for the season opener.
The registration of these players depends on La Liga’s approval, which is still pending. Flick hopes the paperwork will be completed quickly, but it’s not certain that all the players will be eligible to play by Saturday.
This registration delay is especially worrying, given the significance of the season opener. Winning the first match can set the tone for the entire season, and Flick knows he needs his strongest squad on the field to start well.
Barcelona’s likely starting lineup against Valencia
Flick’s worries are compounded by the fact that several key players are sidelined with injuries. Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Ansu Fati will all miss the match.
On a more positive note, Pedri has made notable progress in his recovery and might be available as a substitute. Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez is on a well-earned vacation and will not be available for the match.
Although registered, Clement Lenglet is unlikely to play as his departure from the club seems imminent. Vitor Roque’s status is also uncertain; he is not yet registered and is awaiting the finalization of a loan or transfer.
Given these challenges, Flick has been preparing a backup plan. In Thursday’s training session, he tested a potential starting XI that excludes unregistered players.
The lineup he experimented with included Marc-Andre ter Stegen as goalkeeper; a defense with Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde; a midfield featuring Marc Casado and Andreas Christensen; and an attack with Lamine Yamal, Ilkay Gundogan, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski.
What’s next for Barcelona?
The next few hours are critical for Barcelona as they wait to find out how many players they can register for the match against Valencia.
Flick has emphasized that bolstering the defense is a top priority, with Martinez being a key target. Additionally, Olmo’s registration is a concern due to his current fitness level.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the club’s management is racing against the clock, as player registration can be finalized up to five minutes before the match starts.
This means the final decision on player availability might be made at the last minute, just before the official team sheets are handed to the referee.
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