FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has, according to reports, informed no fewer than four members of his squad that they need not report for pre-season training.
The Blaugrana, it is understood, will mark their return to training with a view to the 2022/23 campaign this coming Monday.
This of course comes as Xavi and co. eye a long overdue return to contention for honours not only domestically, but on the continent, too, on the back of another altogether underwhelming season last time out.
Four such Blaugrana stars, however, set to play no part in such endeavours in the Catalan capital, come in the form of Riqui Puig, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza and Neto.
As per a report from Mundo Deportivo, goalkeeper Neto was this week contacted directly by the aforementioned Xavi.
This came with Barca’s boss having been keen to make clear to the Brazilian that he need not present himself alongside the rest of the club’s squad for Monday’s opening training session of the summer.
All of the aforementioned Puig, Umtiti and Mingueza, meanwhile, had already been informed of as much, too, as Xavi continues to make crystal clear his intention to guide his beloved club back to the very top of the game.
‼🔵🔴Noticia MD
❌ El técnico azulgrana, que comunicó a Riqui, Umtiti y Mingueza que no hace falta que vuelvan al trabajo este lunes 4 de julio, hizo lo propio con el portero brasileño
✍ @RogerTorellohttps://t.co/HJlhL588uz
— Mundo Deportivo (@mundodeportivo) July 3, 2022
Elsewhere, it has been suggested that the Blaugrana’s head coach has too sanctioned the sale of an out-of-favour member of his frontline at the Camp Nou.
The player in question? Memphis Depay.
Xavi abre la puerta a Memphis https://t.co/9RnqZhhgBU a través de @diarioas
— Javi Miguel Club (@fansjavimiguel) July 2, 2022
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