Laporta confirms Barca need to sell before they buy: 5 players Blaugrana should part ways with

"We can't ignore that there's a salary limit and Barcelona's is very reduced," Joan Laporta told TV3.

"And to sign first we have to increase that limit and the only way to do that is to sell some players.

"Xavi knows which players he counts on."

Barcelona have a big squad and the club needs to clear the deadwood before buying new players.

We don't know which players have impressed Xavi in training and in games. But based on their performances, and, in some cases, exorbitant salaries, these 5 players should be on the chopping list.

Every new Barca coach goes through a stage of trying to make things work for Phil at Camp Nou. Xavi is not an exception, having given Coutinho some time off the bench against Espanyol and Villarreal.

The Brazilian won and converted a penalty against Emery's side but there's little hope he becomes a player Barca thought they were getting when they splashed £142m on in 2018.

It just doesn't click for Phil at Barcelona. He keeps getting injured and when he's fit, it's clear he can't be relied upon to consistently produce good attacking displays.

If Newcastle are really interested in signing Coutinho as rumours claim, Barca should take their offer and run away with it.

Barca can't sell the Dutchman because he's not owned by Barcelona but we can send him back to Sevilla.

He's simply not needed at Camp Nou. He was Ronald Koeman's panic buy and should be gone with the former manager.

Luuk does not fit Barca's playstyle as he doesn't have the ability to play the quick-passing game Xavi tries to bring back to the club.

Even if our injury problems persist, it'd still be better to give playing time to youngsters from Barca B.

The 22-year-old has been in disastrous form this season, putting in horrible performances against Madrid, Espanyol and Villarreal.

Mingueza is good at progressing the ball and offers a lot in the final third. But his defensive awareness and positioning have let Barcelona down way too often.

Oscar surely has the potential to become a world-class defender, be it at centre-back or right-back. But the cost of his mistakes has been too high for Barcelona.

It perhaps would be best for all parties if Mingueza continued his learning elsewhere. A sale with a buy-back clause would be a perfect solution while we bring in a more reliable right-back.

Not favoured by the previous regime, the World Cup winner remains a bench-warmer under Xavi.

And it probably tells you something about his quality after a disastrous knee injury he suffered in 2018.

Umtiti is one of the highest earners in the squad (only below Coutinho and Dembele). He has failed to play up for the money he's earned for three seasons in a row now—it's time to finally let him go.

It's unlikely Barca will sell the 29-year-old this winter as he's injured until spring. But they certainly should not give him a contract extension: just let him leave when his contract expires in June next year.

The main reason why Sergi has managed to survive so long at Barcelona is his versatility. He is a good all-round player to have but if we want to build a quality side, he has no place in it.

Sergi's agonizing downfall started under Valverde as injuries resulted in him losing pace and explosiveness.

While Roberto is capable of an occasional brilliant performance, he is no longer at the level needed to play at Barcelona. Equally unconvincing as a full-back and as a midfielder, he should be shown the door if Xavi is serious about rebuilding the squad.

What do you think? Which players Barca should sell?

Source: TV3 | Tribuna