Barcelona Sells Players After One Year
- Barcelona is selling players to cope with financial challenges.
- Real Madrid's strengthened team with Kylian Mbappé poses a significant threat.
- Barcelona is struggling to maintain competitiveness in the face of Real Madrid's acquisitions.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — FC Barcelona is grappling with significant player departures as it seeks to compete with rivals Real Madrid and the newly signed Kylian Mbappé. Reports indicate that both Ilkay Gundogan and Vitor Roque are on the verge of leaving the club, further thinning an already depleted squad. Despite a substantial investment in Gundogan during the winter transfer market, he struggled to secure consistent playing time, raising questions about the club's recruitment strategy. Last summer, Barcelona managed to maintain a competitive squad after losing veteran leaders Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, primarily through strategic signings. The arrivals of Gundogan and Íñigo Martínez as free agents, along with Oriol Romeu's modest transfer fee, were seen as efforts to bolster the team. However, with the departure of coach Xavi Hernández, who expressed concerns over the club's financial limitations, the situation has become increasingly precarious. Coach Hansi Flick is also contending with injuries to key players Gavi Páez and Ronaldo Araújo, forcing him to field a youthful lineup that includes three 17-year-olds. Despite the challenges, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski remains optimistic, stating that the team can still secure victories with its young talent. Barcelona's upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao presents a crucial test, as the club aims to break a long-standing winless streak against them at home. Meanwhile, Real Madrid prepares to face Valladolid, following a draw in their league opener.