Barcelona won a thrilling five-goal thriller against Valencia, winning 3-2 at the Mestalla.
FC Barcelona are heading for a crossroads and they will reach it soon enough.
In years gone by, they have relied upon their youth academy, La Masia, to produce world-class stars to take them to the top, but that conveyor belt has dried up in recent times, meaning they have had to import their team from elsewhere.
Traditionally, that has been the difference between the Blaugrana and eternal rivals Real Madrid, who have never hidden their desire to sign the very best and assemble their squad that way.
The likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi give credence to the philosophy of promoting from within, but Javier Masherano, Ivan Rakitic, Neymar and Luis Suarez have proven great purchases, and more look set to arrive in future.
But not all buys have worked, and after we took you through five players worth signing in January, here are five Barcelona could part with this winter.
ive players worth signing in January</a>, here are five Barcelona could part with this winter.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arda Turan </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_425688" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-425688" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F615019580-fc-barcelona-beats-4-0-to-deportivo-de-la-coruna-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arda Turan during spanish league match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo de la Coruña in Barcelona, on October 15, 2016. (Photo by Miquel Llop/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>1. Arda Turan</strong></p>
<p>Perhaps the best example of a big-money player who hasn’t performed as expected at the Camp Nou in recent times, the Turkish international could be set for the exit door sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Whether that happens in January remains to be seen, but there wouldn’t be a lot of surprise should that occur. Signed from Atletico Madrid, where the 29-year-old established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe, he arrived in Catalonia in 2015 at the height of a FIFA transfer ban.</p>
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<p>As a result, Arda couldn’t play for the first six months of his new career, and by the time he was eligible, he had to force his way into a midfield which already included Busquets, Rakitic and Iniesta.</p>
<p>This summer saw the arrival of both Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez, yet more competition for a player who has not found his feet, and time is running out for Turan to stake his claim to coach Luis Enrique.</p>
<p>The early stages of Gomes’ career are following similar parallels, but his style of play is more conjunctive to Barcelona than Turan’s, who is more physical and direct than most of his teammates.</p>
<p>Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool were reportedly keen on him while at Atleti, and a switch to China has also been mooted. Either way, Arda Turan’s Barcelona days appear to be numbered.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Aleix Vidal </a>
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<p><strong>2. Aleix Vidal</strong></p>
<p>Like Arda, Aleix Vidal was a player signed while Barcelona were only able to register new players, but not play them, so he also found similar problems in building up momentum when breaking into the team.</p>
<p>The right-back’s chances of first team action appeared to increase when Dani Alves, the long-time incumbent of his spot in the team, left for Juventus. Rather than favouring the former Sevilla man, though, Luis Enrique has opted to convert central midfielder Sergi Roberto into a fullback.</p>
<p>As a result, Vidal becomes the most likely name on this list to move on in the New Year.</p>
<p>While at Sevilla, the 27-year-old established himself as a talented player, giving the Andalusians a wide option and stretching the play, just like Alves had at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan before he switched to the current Spanish champions in 2009.</p>
<p>It is easy to see why Barça swooped for the man with one international cap for Spain, who was also born locally, but it just hasn’t worked out and whether it ever will is doubtful.</p>
<p>Vidal would, however, be a great signing for a number of clubs in Europe. The Premier League, Serie A or even lower in LaLiga could be suitable destinations, so watch this space…</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Jeremy Mathieu </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_425692" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-425692" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_433,w_657/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F615666242-fc-barcelona-v-manchester-city-fc-uefa-champions-league-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="657" height="433"><p class="wp-caption-text">BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 19: Jeremy Mathieu (L) of FC Barcelona fights for the ball with Raheem Sterling (R) of Manchester City FC during the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City FC at Camp Nou on October 19, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>3. Jeremy Mathieu</strong></p>
<p>Signed in the same summer as one Luis Suarez, France defender Mathieu’s Barcelona career couldn’t be more contrasting to the Uruguayan’s since arriving from Valencia in 2014.</p>
<p>The 19 million deal was a hard one to understand from the beginning and his inability to break into the team on a regular basis, or shine when given an opportunity, has been a surprise to few.</p>
<p>Throughout this, the most successful era in the club’s history, Barcelona’s defence has been an achilles heel, but the 33-year-old really hasn’t improved matters. His lack of pace and poor technique have left him exposed. Even his versatility, as a central defender who can also play left back, can’t help him.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dd2hJJdkqjc?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne, who play in both those areas, came in this summer, pushing him further out of the picture. His playing time has taken a significant hit, making just four appearances in LaLiga this term.</p>
<p>That said, a goal in El Clasico against Real Madrid in his debut campaign helped endear him to the Barcelona fans. But as he gets older, his time at the Camp Nou edges closer to ending, and it is not inconceivable that the club would look to offload him as soon as possible,</p>
<p>As for possible destinations, his experience makes him a viable option for many provided he is happy to take a wage cut. Maybe a move back to his homeland is on the cards?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/11/11/5-players-barcelona-sell-january/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Rafinha </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_425693" class="wp-caption alignnone">
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<p><strong>4. Rafinha</strong></p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Rather than Barcelona instigating any possible transfer, it could be sensible for Rafinha to start looking elsewhere.</p>
<p>The Brazilian international, brother of former Blaugrana man and Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, has a lot of talent and, at 23, is at risk of being stifled by the lack of playing time, similar to Arda.</p>
<p>Thiago departed the Camp Nou in 2013, much to the annoyance of the Barcelona fans, and he has thrived at the Allianz Arena. His brother would make a sensible decision to follow that lead if he is to truly fulfil his potential.</p>
<p>There would be lots of interested parties in a player with an abundance of creativity and technical ability, having demonstrated so while on loan at Celta Vigo in the 2013-14 season under current Barcelona boss Luis Enrique.</p>
<p>But with Busquets, Rakitic and Iniesta proving troublesome for his development, Rafinha has only made seven appearances in LaLiga this term, including a four-minute cameo in the win at Sevilla last weekend. He may have to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Thiago and Cesc Fabregas and look elsewhere for first team soccer.</p>
<p>As many Brazilians have before him have done, Rafinha could set the Premier League alight. But he may thrive more in a game with a slower pace, with the likes of Inter and AC Milan looking for inspiration in Italy’s Serie A. A deal would be seriously worth a look.</p>
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<p><strong>5. Jordi Masip</strong></p>
<p>Again, like Rafinha, if the goalkeeper leaves, in January or not, it will likely be of his accord. With Jasper Cillessen arriving from Ajax this summer to offer competition for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, first team opportunities look almost impossible.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old has a role at the Camp Nou, one that makes him very useful to Barcelona, offering insurance if a goalkeeping injury crisis arose. Being third choice is not good from his point of view, and while players in his position can often play on longer than those out field, he should turn his back on his local club to get the best out of himself.</p>
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<p>It speaks volumes that, since 2014 when he was promoted from the B team, Masip has made just one league appearance. His case is a curious one, because it really isn’t obvious which level he would suit playing at and there is little for perspective buyers to go on when weighing up whether to make a move or not.</p>
<p>Few players have a CV like Jordi Masip’s, given the domestic and European success achieved by the club in the last two years, and he may be happy with his role on the periphery. If not, though, he should consider forcing the issue in January.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">