Camp Nou is bracing for a wild final stretch of the summer transfer window, and this time the exit list reads like a roll call of first-team regulars rather than fringe squad players. With the September 1 deadline closing in fast, Barcelona could see up to five senior names walk out the door, and the club stands to pocket close to 100 million euros if the dominoes fall the right way. Here is everything you need to know about the Barcelona exodus taking shape right now.
Frenkie de Jong: Manchester City Make Their Move
The biggest name on the list is Frenkie de Jong, and this rumor has real fire behind it. Manchester City have reportedly opened talks over a shock move for the Dutch midfielder, seeing him as a direct replacement for the departed Rodri in the middle of the park.
De Jong has struggled for game time this season, hampered by an ankle injury picked up during his World Cup run with the Netherlands, and Hansi Flick’s midfield is suddenly stacked with Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and a newly arrived defensive midfielder taking minutes away from him. Barcelona are reportedly open to letting him leave on loan with an option to buy, which would ease their financial books without giving up on him permanently. Whether City push the deal through before deadline day given his fitness concerns remains the key question.
Jules Kounde: Premier League Clubs Circle
Jules Kounde has spent the summer insisting he wants to stay, pointing to a contract that runs until 2030 as proof of his commitment. But Barcelona have quietly made clear they will listen to offers, and reports suggest an exit cannot be ruled out if a club meets their valuation in the 60 to 80 million euro range.
Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool have all been credited with interest in the versatile Frenchman, who has been a mainstay across Barcelona’s recent title-winning campaigns. Kounde’s own words say one thing, but the club’s willingness to negotiate says another, and that tension usually resolves itself in the final days of a transfer window.
Balde, Casado, and Fort: The La Masia Trio on the Way Out
While De Jong and Kounde dominate headlines, the more concrete departures may come from Barcelona’s academy graduates. Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Hector Fort were all left out of the matchday squad for Barcelona’s recent LaLiga win over Elche, a clear signal their futures lie elsewhere.
Balde has reportedly told the club he will not continue at Camp Nou after talks with his agent, with Manchester United and Benfica among the suitors.
Casado, once a breakout star during the 2024-25 season, has seen his role shrink and is drawing interest from Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, and Saudi clubs, though he is said to prefer staying in Europe.
Fort, who spent last season on loan at Elche, appears closest to a permanent move to Borussia Dortmund, with Barcelona holding out for a fee north of 11 million euros.
What This Means for Barcelona
Selling this many first-team and academy players in one window is a bold statement of intent from Barcelona’s hierarchy, who are clearly prioritizing financial flexibility over squad depth heading into the new season. If all five deals go through, Hansi Flick will need to move quickly to reshape his defense and midfield before the window closes, and fans should expect incoming business to follow any confirmed departures.
For now, nothing is signed and sealed, but the smoke around Balde, Casado, and Fort in particular suggests their Barcelona careers are entering the final chapter. Keep it locked in for updates as the transfer deadline approaches and these situations develop by the hour.
