Vital summer ahead for Barcelona as they look to close gap on Real Madrid in La Liga

Over the last couple of seasons, and certainly since the departure of arguably the best footballer in the world, Lionel Messi, Barcelona have been playing in the shadows of current La Liga champions Real Madrid.

After Los Blancos defeated Espanyol 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu back on 30 April, with two goals from Rodrygo and strikes from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema, it confirmed Real's 35th Spanish title with three games to spare. At the season end, Barca finished runners up, but 13 points adrift.

Barcelona saw themselves falter at the group stages of the Champions League, which resulted in them playing Europa League football for the first time in 17 years, when Frank Rijkaard was in the dugout in 2004.

It has not all been lacklustre, however, and there have been glimpses of Barca starting to compete again, for instance, when they put four past Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in March.

To get back to their best, there needs to be a number of ins and outs to reshape the squad.

Back in November, Barca moved swiftly to sign experienced right-back Dani Alves, who will leave the club for a second time after his contract ended at the end of the season.

The 39-year-old rejoined Barca five years after he left the Camp Nou for Juventus. However, things have not worked and manager Xavi has said he can leave and find a new club. In all, Alves made 407 appearances for the Catalan side, winning six La Liga titles.

Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres followed in a deal worth an initial €55 million plus a further €10m in add-ons. The Spain forward joined the Catalans on a five-year deal until 2027 and the club set his buyout clause at €1 billion.

Ex-La Masia graduate Adama Traore was brought in from Wolves on loan, but the