Luuk de Jong
In 2021, De Jong was signed on the deadline day from the Sevilla bench, but it was clear that he could never replace the departing Lionel Messi.
Although he scored six goals in 22 appearances, his performance as a striker didn’t quite fit the tiki-taka style that defined the club, leading to resentment from the fans.
However, fast forward to 2024 and De Jong is thriving at PSV. In the past 18 months, he has scored an impressive 40 goals for the Eredivisie team, with 22 of those coming this season.
His current form is exceptional, and he is a strong contender for the Golden Boot. Barcelona supporters may now question whether his previous goal record was a mistake.
Miralem Pjanic
Barcelona made a controversial decision to exchange their promising 23-year-old midfielder, Arthur Melo, for a 30-year-old Pjanic from Juventus. As part of the deal, both clubs exchanged £60 million to balance their financial books in 2020.
During his time at the club, Pjanic made 30 appearances, but most of them were as a substitute, resulting in minimal impact on the team.
Subsequently, Pjanic was loaned to Besiktas in Turkey before permanently joining UAE Pro League club Sharjah in 2022.
Barcelona not only lost Arthur but also incurred high wages for Pjanic, who failed to score any goals or deliver any memorable performances during his one-season tenure. It is no surprise that their finances have been negatively affected.
Yusuf Demir
Koeman secured the loan signing of Demi from Rapid Wien, granting the club the possibility to permanently acquire the young player. However, Xavi, who took over as manager, promptly decided to terminate the loan deal with the youngster.
Following a mere nine appearances for Barcelona, the winger is currently on loan at Basel from Galatasaray. Quite a journey indeed.
Emerson Royal
Emerson’s tenure at Barca was rather uneventful after his complex transfer from Atletico Mineiro (via Real Betis).
However, the club managed to secure a substantial profit of around €30 million when they eventually sold him to Tottenham. Considering his inconsistent displays in England, it seems that Barca made the correct choice in parting ways with him.
Sergino Dest
Dest’s future at Barcelona seems uncertain as he is currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven. Despite a promising start in Spain, his reputation suffered under Xavi’s management, leading to his transfer to the Eredivisie leaders in 2023.
However, the 23-year-old has been thriving at PSV, showcasing his skills on the left side of the field, despite his natural position as a right-back. PSV holds a €10 million option to buy Dest at the end of the season, and it is highly likely that they will consider exercising that clause.
Eric Garcia
Garcia transferred to Barcelona from Manchester City in 2021, however, the young defender struggled to secure a spot in the first team at Camp Nou.
Following a move to Girona on loan for the season, Garcia has become a key player in their surprising title bid this season, featuring in 24 matches for the La Liga newcomers.
Given Barcelona’s financial situation, they may be compelled to sell Garcia to raise funds, with several clubs likely to pursue his signature.
Sergio Aguero
Aguero had nearly completed his career, achieving numerous titles and establishing himself as one of the top goal scorers in the Premier League during his time at Manchester City, before joining Barcelona.
However, he still harbored aspirations to pursue in Spain until his retirement was abruptly brought on by a heart condition in December 2021. In his retirement announcement, the ex-Argentina forward expressed his gratitude for the successful career he had enjoyed and acknowledged the timing of his health issues.
Memphis Depay
Depay’s career has been quite peculiar, with a disappointing stint at Manchester United followed by a remarkable performance at Lyon. In 2021, this enigmatic Dutchman joined Barcelona with a determination to prove himself.
However, his time in Catalonia was rather underwhelming, despite managing to score 14 goals in 42 appearances, which cannot be considered a complete failure.
Now, at the age of 30, it appears that Depay has experienced a sudden transformation at Atletico Madrid, silently reinventing himself yet again.