Barcelona news: Mass exodus planned to fund Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho deals

BARCELONA will look to offload FIVE players in January in the hopes of freeing up the wage bill to secure both Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.
Barcelona are eager to push ahead with moves for both Griezmann and Coutinho to cement their place at the top of La Liga.

Deals for either player are unlikely to happen until the end of the season but Barcelona players have been talking up the potential of linking up with the Liverpool star.

Paulinho recently joked he is in regular contact with his fellow Brazilian and have spoken about finding a house for Coutinho.

Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has also admitted he believes there has been contact between Griezmann and Barcelona.
But transfers for both Coutinho and Griezmann would likely cost in excess of £200million, meaning the Catalan club would need to balance the books in accordance with Financial Fair Play.




And, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Ernesto Valverde has already lined up five players he is willing to let go.

Javier Mascherano, Arda Turan, Gerard Deulofeu, Aleix Vidal and Rafinha are reportedly on borrowed time at the Nou Camp.
Mascherano is said to be on his way to the Chinese Super League with a deal virtually agreed while Deuloeu has been touted for a return to Italy.
Turan has not played for Barcelona since April having been told he has no future at the club and Vidal and Rafinha have also failed to hold down a regular spot in Ernesto Valverde’s first team.

Barcelona are hopeful of welcoming back summer signing Ousmane Dembele from injury in the New Year as they looked to build on their nine-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Source:www.express.co.uk