Although some still don't know for sure, for many Barça players the match against Villarreal was their last official appearance in the Barça shirt. Only Luuk de Jong, on loan from Sevilla, approached the Camp Nou cheering stands to say goodbye and thank them for their support after losing to the groguets (0-2).
The Dutchman's was the first goodbye after the end of the season. Sadder was the farewell of Adama Traoré, who with the last ball he touched gave Moi Gómez the second goal of the Castellón team. The one from L'Hospitalet, from more to less since his return to the Barcelona club in January, ends his assignment on June 30 and everything indicates that Barça will not execute the purchase option that it agreed with the Wolves, of 24 million euros.
In a change that was already scheduled, Traoré was substituted immediately after his clearance failed in the visitors' winning goal. With a face of circumstances, he left his place to Dembélé, another player whose continuity is more than questionable. There was not a single gesture from the incomprehensible French player, who for the second consecutive game started on the bench.
The only clear thing about Dembélé's situation is that the contract ends on June 30. Before participating in his 150th Blaugrana match, Mateu Alemany almost gave him up. “His future will be known by him and his agents. I have my personal opinion on the matter, but it is beside the point. No news from you? Yes, the same as in the last six or seven months more or less”, said the director of football of Barça. That is to say, the negotiations are at an impasse, although there is speculation with a final meeting with his representative, Moussa Sissoko, this week.
Against Villarreal, Xavi gave Mingueza and Riqui Puig minutes, probably so that they could play their last minutes as a Barça player in an official match. In addition to the two homegrown players, the Egarense coach also told Martin Braithwaite and Samuel Umtiti last week that he does not count on their participation for next season. The Danish striker has barely played 22 minutes in two games since the Catalan's arrival on the bench, while the French defender has completed one game all season, against Osasuna in Pamplona (2-2).
On the other hand, Xavi has ended up more satisfied with Alves. The 39-year-old veteran winger returned to Barça in the middle of the season with two goals: to help the Barça team with his experience and to maintain a competitive tone to arrive in the best shape for the World Cup in Qatar in November. With a contract until June 30 and for now with a minimum salary, it is unknown if he will be next year. “I am happy with my delivery. If I can't continue, I'm 100% grateful”, explained the Brazilian, a regular starter to the detriment of Sergiño Dest and Sergi Roberto, both hampered by various injuries.
A different case is that of Frenkie de Jong, who in his three years at the club has played at a good level but far from the performance that was expected when Bartomeu's board signed him for 85 million euros. The midfielder, with a contract until 2026 and with no intention of changing scenery this summer, did not comment on his future after the match against Villarreal despite the fact that in recent weeks there has been speculation about his sale. From the board they see in the Dutchman, 25, a player with enough poster in Europe to get a good sum of money.
In the absence of executing the famous economic "levers" that Laporta's board proclaims, a millionaire transfer would help balance finances and in turn would allow room for maneuver to give the team a facelift. Xavi is in favor of keeping Frenkie de Jong in the squad, a footballer whom he considers important for his project and whom he sees with room for improvement. However, the one from Terrassa is also aware of the necessary renewal of the squad in a context where the club has little economic muscle.
"Now it's time to work in the offices, which is even more important than football work. We have to reinforce ourselves well, because if we don't do it we won't be able to compete. We can't be another year in white", warned Xavi in his last round of press this season at the Camp Nou.
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