FC Barcelona: 10 Big-Name Stars Who Could Join or Leave Barca in the Summer

Barcelona have been a dominant force in European football over the past half decade.

With the attractive football, huge fanbase and warm climate they can offer, it's not surprising that many a star desires to play for the club.

Of course there are always those who have decided that the Camp Nou is no longer the place to showcase their talents.

Football transfers are player merry-go-rounds.

One can be superb for a club yet terrible for another—think Fernando Torres in his Liverpool days compared with Chelsea.

Whatever the reason for buying and selling, you can be assured that Barcelona will always be heavily involved in the market.

Here are some of the latest ins and outs associated with the magnificent club.

Neymar

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Santos forward Neymar is perhaps South America's hottest property right now.

The Brazilian has been linked numerous times to Barcelona and Real Madrid, but he has signed a new contract with Santos that will keep him at the club until after the 2014 World Cup.

As we all know, money makes the world go round, and Barca and Real have plenty of it.

Whilst Neymar has certainly made his intentions clear, don't be surprised to see the mohawk hair lighting up La Liga in the 2012-13 season.

Seydou Keita

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32-year-old midfielder Seydou Keita is approaching the twilight of his career but still has the ability to play at the top level.

Keita is struggling to get regular first team football at Barcelona and stories have emerged linking Liverpool with the Mali international.

The figure mentioned is £2 million which would probably make financial sense for Barcelona given the player's remaining career longevity.

Robin Van Persie

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Robin Van Persie finished 2011 as the Premier League's most lethal striker and Europe's second most lethal striker.

First place went to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Van Persie is in outstanding form and has started 2012 just as well as he left 2011.

With RVP stalling on signing a new contract with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona may think they could prize the Gunner's top asset away from the club.

Manchester City are also rumoured to be interested and could offer the player £250,000 a week wages.

Eden Hazard

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Yes it's that man again.

Eden Hazard transfer rumours just won't go away, and this time the hot favourites to land his signature are Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur.

The player himself has not ruled out a move to Spain though, but has stated it would have to be to either Real Madrid or Barcelona if it were to happen.

The fee required for the player is reported to be €40 million.

Thiago Silva

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Whilst it is just pure speculation, stories have surfaced suggesting Thiago Silva could leave AC Milan in the summer if the right fee is offered for him.

The player's agent has stated it would be easy to link the player to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, so perhaps this is his way of issuing a come and get me plea.

The agent also goes on to say the player would only leave if Milan wanted to sell him.

Pep Guardiola

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With Barcelona currently 10 points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, rumours are circulating that manager Pep Guardiola may be thinking of leaving the club at the end of the season.

Guardiola only signs one year deals with the club in order to keep his motivation up, but the manager may feel it's time for a fresh challenge should he lose the domestic title to Real Madrid and flop in the Champions League.

 

Gareth Bale

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Reports have come through over the last week suggesting that Barcolona will sell some of their younger players in an effort to raise funds for a Gareth Bale bid.

Spurs would probably prefer the player to move abroad if an offer was received that was too good to be true.

Barcelona are believed to value Bale at approximately £35 million, somewhat lower than Spurs valuation.

Jordi Alba

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Jordi Alba was once part of the youth team at Barcelona before the club decided to let the player leave for Cornella.

Now at Valencia, Barcelona are hoping to lure the defender back to the Camp Nou seven years after his departure.

There is no figure mentioned but the player is likely to be interested in the move if a firm offer is made.

Luis Suarez

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Following Suarez's issues in the Premier League concerning his race row and subsequent handshake snub with Manchester United's Patrice Evra, Barcelona are reported to be keeping tabs on the Uruguay star.

Liverpool are not thought to be interested in selling their striker, but the story indicates that Suarez himself may soon get fed up of life in England following his club's decision to suggest he apologizes.

Nicolas Gaitan

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Barcelona have been put on alert since Benfica hinted that they could sell their Argentine star player Nicolas Gaitan in the summer.

Manchester United and Manchester City are also reported to be interested in the player who could cost as much as €30 million.

 

Afterthoughts

Cesc Fabregas proved that Barcelona can be persistant and resilient in the pursuit of their targets once they've identified them.

If Barcelona really want to sign any of these players, then their parent clubs should have cause for concern.

Perhaps the most shocking rumour would be the departure of Pep Guardiola.

Fans can be quick to point the finger when things aren't going their way, and Barca's league form is definitely an issue right now.

It will be an interesting summer for the Catalan club, of that there is no doubt.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out the top South American players heading to Europe, as well as how each Premier League team can avoid the dreaded relegation.

On twitter? Follow me @petercwebster where I post all my b/r content.