- Messi reportedly tells Barcelona to sell Douglas
- Brazilian has struggled to make positive impact at Nou Camp
- Could be sent out on new loan deal in January if current spell ends early
- READ MORE: Barcelona hierarchy clash over €20m January signing, not all convinced by world-class target
It’s hard for players to make the cut at senior level at Barcelona and to establish themselves in the squad, with Douglas a perfect example of that.
The 27-year-old joined Barcelona in 2014, but he’s managed just eight appearances for the Catalan giants while also being shipped out on loan to Sporting Gijon and Benfica.
With his contract set to expire next summer, it seems only a matter of time before he leaves the Nou Camp on a permanent basis, and Lionel Messi is reportedly said to be in favour of that situation playing out.
According to Don Balon, as re-reported by The Express, Messi doesn’t believe that Douglas has a future at the club and so in turn should be sold as soon as possible.
Whether that’s what happens remains to be seen, as the Brazilian needs to impress while on loan at Benfica to prove to any interested parties that he’s worth signing in January rather than leaving on a free.
Having brought in Nelson Semedo this past summer, Barcelona will surely believe that they’ve found the long-term solution to their problem at right-back, while they do have other options ahead of Douglas in the pecking order with versatile ace Sergi Roberto showing he’s capable of stepping in on many occasions.
In turn, it looks like a matter of time before Douglas leaves the Nou Camp and while on one hand it could be argued that he never really had the chance to prove his worth, he can’t have impressed in training to warrant more opportunities and as time has gone on since his arrival, he has fallen further down the pecking order and now potentially out of the club next year.