Barcelona plan to sell five players to facilitate Lionel Messi move

Barcelona have put five players up for sale to facilitate the transfer of Lionel Messi, who has been linked with a return to Camp Nou from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The Catalan giants are looking to raise more than €100 million to register players with renewed contracts and any new signings.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Franck Kessie and Eric Garcia are on the chopping block.

The futures of Fati and Torres have already been subject to speculation due to their lack of game time this season.

The pair have fallen down the pecking order at Camp Nou and found it hard to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.

Barca manager Xavi persuaded Torres to leave Manchester City last year, but he has failed to live up to expectations.

His compatriot Fati has experienced a decline in form this season following a long injury lay-off.

His father recently caused a stir after criticising Barca for his son’s lack of game time, fuelling further exit speculation.

However, Fati is understandably not thinking about an exit and wants to prove his worth.

Raphinha, who was bought from Leeds United last summer in an expensive deal, can be described as a hit-and-miss this season.

The Brazilian winger’s importance to the side is undeniable, having contributed 18 goals in all competitions.

However, his consistency remains a huge concern, and his performances haven’t justified the €60 million fee Barca paid for his services.

There are already rumours of his exit, with Premier League giants Arsenal, Newcastle United and Chelsea expressing an interest in signing him this summer.

Kessie, who hasn’t been a first choice this season, has been linked with a return to Serie A, with Inter Milan enquiring about his availability.

Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the Ivorian midfielder, who moved to Camp Nou on a free transfer last summer.

Garcia has also struggled to make an impact since he arrived from Man City, being reduced to a bit-part role.

Barca, who are 11 points clear at the top of the table, will host Atletico Madrid in La Liga this weekend.