'It's the end of a cycle,' says Barcelona president Joan Laporta - but wasn't that last year's message? This has long been hailed a transition season at Barcelona, so how can you have an 'end of cycle' message after a transitional campaign? Koeman was the man to lead them into next season after he won the Spanish Cup. But then Xavi signed a new contract in Qatar and Koeman was soon having lunch with president Laporta as they both planned next season. The players Barcelona are looking to sweep away as part of this 'end of a cycle' might not be brushed aside so easily.

Source: Daily Mail May 22, 2021 12:39 UTC