Ansu Fati's Barcelona Departure Sealed: Who's Next to Leave Camp Nou?
The enchantment of Barcelona's exceptional 2024–25 campaign and the elevated hopes for an even more impressive 2025–26 season are overshadowed by a harsh summer reality check concerning the club's financial constraints.
Recent reports confirmed that for the second consecutive summer, Nico Williams will not be joining the Catalan giants after signing a fresh long-term contract to remain at Athletic Club.
Barcelona had successfully negotiated personal terms with the winger, but their financial limitations prevented them from activating his release clause and subsequently registering him while complying with La Liga's 1:1 regulation—which permits spending €1 for every €1 generated—turning what appeared to be a certain transfer into another missed opportunity.
Consequently, Barcelona must return to their planning phase, but before considering alternatives to Williams's failed acquisition, the club needs to reduce their wage bill and create revenue to enable potential new signings.
Barcelona's priority is clear: generate funds. It's that straightforward.
Ansu Fati has already departed Barcelona for Monaco on a loan arrangement that will reduce the Catalans' expenses by approximately €7 million ($8.2 million) in player wages. Álex Valle also moved to Como earlier this summer.
However, additional measures are required for Barcelona to achieve the financial freedom necessary to satisfy both La Liga and UEFA regulations while remaining competitive in the transfer market.
Below is a compilation of players who might depart Barcelona in the upcoming weeks.
Pablo Torre
Pablo Torre appears destined to be the next departure. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder was absent from Barcelona's squad during the final two months of the campaign and openly expressed his belief that Hansi Flick treated him unjustly due to limited playing opportunities.
Mallorca are reportedly close to securing Torre's services for approximately €5 million ($5.8 million) to obtain 50% of his registration rights, while Barcelona retains the other half.
Iñaki Peña
Iñaki Peña assumed the primary goalkeeper role following Marc-André ter Stegen's early-season knee injury. Nevertheless, Flick opted for emergency acquisition Wojciech Szczęsny as his preferred choice during the latter half of the season.
With the Polish shot-stopper likely to extend his stay and Barcelona's acquisition of Joan García, Peña's future at the club looks uncertain. A potential return to Galatasaray, where he previously had a brief loan spell, could be on the cards.
Pau Víctor
Dani Olmo wasn't the only player Barcelona struggled to register for La Liga competition last season—Pau Víctor became the overlooked figure in that situation. Following his permanent transfer from Girona last summer, Víctor accumulated 29 appearances throughout 2024–25, though only two were as a starter.
Given Barcelona's abundance of attacking talent, the 23-year-old Víctor lacks a clear route to regular playing time, making his exit appear inevitable. Multiple La Liga clubs have shown interest in him, with a transfer fee potentially matching Torre's valuation.
Ronald Araújo
The initial three players mentioned are virtually guaranteed departures. Now we address the more significant decisions.
Ronald Araújo serves as Barcelona's vice-captain, yet he endured a 2024–25 season that arguably made him the club's most underwhelming performer. The Uruguayan defender lost his regular starting position to Íñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí and bore significant responsibility for Barcelona's devastating Champions League exit for consecutive seasons.
The Catalans possess an excess of central defensive options, and at just 26 years old, Araújo's market value may currently be at its peak.
Juventus nearly secured Araújo during the January transfer window before he agreed to extend his Barcelona contract. Nevertheless, the club might consider selling the Uruguayan if an attractive offer materializes, particularly given their current financial predicament.
Andreas Christensen
Should Barcelona decide against parting with Araújo, then Andreas Christensen emerges as the most likely candidate for departure.
The former Chelsea defender battled injuries throughout 2024–25, accumulating merely 252 minutes in La Liga competition. Despite this, Flick frequently utilized the Danish center-back during the season's closing stages, even more consistently than Araújo.
While Christensen desires to fulfill the final year of his contract with the club, there have already been attempts to attract him to the Saudi Pro League. Although Christensen may not command as high a transfer fee as Araújo, his sale could still generate substantial revenue.
Regardless, Barcelona clearly intends to release one central defender. As Deco stated, "We possess five center-backs and one must depart due to squad overcrowding. The manager will need to make this decision."
Marc-André ter Stegen
Lamine Yamal was merely 7 years old when Barcelona acquired Marc-André ter Stegen. More than a decade later, the German's tenure with the Catalans may be approaching its conclusion.
García's arrival and Szczęsny's probable contract extension pose a threat not only to Peña but also to Barcelona's captain. Although Ter Stegen has consistently stated his intention to remain at Barcelona, both he and the club could benefit from his departure.
Entering 2025–26, the German goalkeeper cannot be assured of the starting position. In an overcrowded goalkeeping department that now includes one of La Liga's finest shot-stoppers from last season, Ter Stegen could find himself relegated to the bench.
With potentially his final opportunity to start in a World Cup for Germany just a year away, Ter Stegen requires regular playing time. If Barcelona won't guarantee him the starting role, then seeking opportunities elsewhere must become his priority, while allowing the club to capitalize on the veteran's remaining market value.