By Alfredo Echenique
02 Sep 2023, 11:47 AM EDT
The transfer market for FC Barcelona ended with the additions of Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo, but for the Portuguese to reach the Azulgrana team, some departures had to be made. Among them, those of Ansu Fati to Brighton, Abde to Betis and Eric García to Girona.
However, the team’s coach, Xavi Hernández, assured that the departure of these three players occurred by decision of the footballers themselves. This was explained by the Spaniard this Saturday at a press conference prior to this Sunday’s meeting.
“Ansu, Abde and Eric wanted to go out. It is his decision ”, started pointing out the coach culé. In the case of defender García, Xavi asserted that he asked him out to have a change of scenery outside of FC Barcelona.
“Eric came to me and told me that he wanted a change of scene, that he needed it. I tried to convince him that it wasn’t, but due to ‘fair play’ circumstances this transfer has been made”, Xavi commented.
Regarding Ansu Fati, Xavi explained that the young striker wants to see more minutes and be the protagonist to finish developing. “Ansu has the feeling that he has to play. The objective is for him to succeed again at Barça ”.
Lastly, Abde Ezzalzouli was probably going to have the fewest minutes this season. The Moroccan also wanted to leave to see more minutes and Barcelona solved it by selling him to Betis for $8 million for 50% of the token, plus a buyback clause later.
“With Abde we have a repurchase option. Abde was very insistent that he wanted to leave. We have tried to solve it and we have done it well”, explained Hernández.
In any case, these three players could return to the Azulgrana club in the future, since in the case of García and Fati they are sessions without the obligation to purchase. In addition, the Spanish strategist emphasized that they have open doors at the club.
“We have not lost anyone, the three can return. When you listen to them you understand the need to have more minutes. Here we are Barça and we don’t give anything away. It is very difficult to have minutes at Barça”, closed Xavi Hernández.
Keep reading:
· “I have fulfilled one of my goals since I was a child”: Joao Félix will play for FC Barcelona
· Ansu Fati, from heir to Messi’s 10 at FC Barcelona to end up on loan at Brighton
· Barcelona will have an accessible group in the Champions League