WHAT SHOULD BARCELONA DO WITH THEIR RETURNING LOANEES?

Barcelona are set to welcome six players back from loan spells away from the club after their contracts expired at the end of June.

The big question for the club now will be what to do with each player. Could they stay or will they move away permanently or on another loan?

Let’s take a look...

Eric Garcia

Xavi didn’t want Eric Garcia to leave last summer but he ended up going anyway, signing for Girona and playing regularly for Michel’s side who enjoyed a brilliant season and secured Champions League football for the first time.

Eric also popped up with five La Liga goals along the way, more than any other defender in the Spanish top flight, and has now been called up to Spain’s squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It’s still not clear if he will stay at Barca mainly due to the intense competition for places at the back. However, recent speculation has claimed Hansi Flick is said to prefer Eric to Inigo Martinez which means he could well be part of the squad for 2024-25.

Clement Lenglet

Things looks a little bleaker for Clement Lenglet who will surely leave again this summer. The Frenchman has just spent a rather curious season at Aston Villa where he didn’t make a single Premier League appearance until Christmas but then went on to play 14 times in total in the English top flight.

Like Girona, Aston Villa ended up securing Champions League football for next season but Lenglet won’t be around to enjoy it with Unai Emery’s side. Barca are thought to be working hard on an exit with West Ham and Napoli currently linked with the Frenchman.

Julian Araujo

Barcelona are expected to give Julian Araujo a chance to impress in pre-season after his loan with Las Palmas and there’s a good chance he could be part of the first-team squad for next season.

The 22-year-old right-back played 25 times in La Liga last season, scoring once, and has already admitted he’s dreaming of a return to Barcelona and a place in the first team.

Right-back is a position that Flick will need to sort out in pre-season and much may depend on whether Joao Cancelo continues. Hector Fort’s been handed a new contract and should be part of the squad, while Flick must also decide on whether to stick with Jules Kounde out wide or put him back in the middle.

Álex Valle

Barcelona’s shortage of left-backs and lack of funds means that Alex Valle surely has a great opportunity to grab a place in the squad. The 20-year-old is heading back to Barcelona after a season with Levante where he played 29 times in the Second Division.

Alejandro Balde, who is only just returning to fitness after a long injury lay-off, is Barca’s only recognised left-back in the squad right now which is good news for Valle’s hopes of a future in Catalunya.

Pablo Torre

Pablo Torre left Barcelona in search of regular game time last summer but didn’t really find it at Girona either. He only made four starts in La Liga for Michel’s team with his other 22 appearances coming as a sub.

The prospects of him being able to feature for Barca regularly next season look slim again, particularly with Fermin Lopez having broken through last season in impressive style, scoring 11 times.

The rumor mill has claimed Torre wants to try and prove himself in pre-season, but another move away from Barcelona looks more likely for the 22-year-old as things stand.

Ansu Fati

Hansi Flick also has a big decision to make on Ansu Fati after a loan spell with Brighton which failed to really get the youngster back on track after a tough time with injuries.

Fati is said to be eager for a second chance and has already been spotted working out with Alejandro Balde during the off-season ahead of linking back up with Barca.

Barca are likely to be willing to listen to any offers for Fati this summer with interest, but it’s not impossible he could continue. Much may depend on whether Barca bring in another attacker and also whether Joao Felix continues after his season-long loan from Atletico.

What do you think Barcelona should do with their returning loanees? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

2024-07-03T05:08:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd