Lamine Yamal, Frenkie de Jong and more: 10 first-team Barcelona stars set to miss pre-season tour to the United States
Barcelona are travelling to the United States for their pre-season tour without 10 first-team players. Among the notable absentees are Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament Lamine Yamal and Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Barcelona are set to play three games as part of their pre-season preparations in the US. They will first take on Premier League champions Manchester City at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, July 30.
The Catalans will then lock horns with arch-rivals Real Madrid at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday, August 3. Their final game will be against Serie A giants AC Milan at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Tuesday, August 6.
However, many regular stars are absent from the 31-man squad that left for Orlando, Florida, on Sunday.
De Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Ansu Fati are currently recovering from their respective injuries and have therefore been omitted from the squad. Yamal and Ferran Torres have been given a rest after their Euro 2024 campaign.
Yamal, who turned 17 a day before the Euro final against England, clocked 3,465 minutes of action across 57 games in all competitions for club and country last season.
Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez, Pau Cubarsi, and Eric Garcia are set to represent Spain at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and have therefore been left out of the pre-season squad.
According to Goal, Ilkay Gundogan, Joules Kounde and Raphina have not traveled with the rest of the squad for the pre-season. Gundogan and Raphina will travel to Orlando on their own. Kounde is set to join the squad in Annapolis, Maryland, on Thursday, August 1 (via ESPN).
Barcelona receive €65 million offer for Raphina from Saudi club - Reports
Barcelona have reportedly received a €65 million offer for Brazilian winger Raphina from an unnamed Saudi Pro League side.
Raphina arrived at the Camp Nou from Premier League side Leeds United in a reported €58 million deal in the summer of 2022. The 27-year-old has endured a hot-and-cold spell in Spain, contributing 20 goals and 25 assists in 87 games across competitions in his two seasons with the Catalans.
Raphina has been linked with a move away from the club this summer. Arsenal have been rumored to be interested in bringing the Brazilian back to the Premier League to bolster their attacking options. According to FCB Live (via Barca Times), an unnamed Saudi club has also submitted a bid for the player.