Three players who could leave Barcelona in January

The Catalan giants suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but it has largely been a positive start to the campaign for the club.

A recent report claimed that the La Liga giants remain under financial pressure, which could lead to them attempting to move more players on during the January transfer window.

Even though it is early in the season, it is not difficult to see the players that head coach Xavi will count on this season and those who are likely to struggle for minutes if they remain at the club.

With that in mind, Sports Mole picks out three players who could leave Barcelona when the winter transfer window opens for business.

Gerard Pique

Barcelona boss Xavi recently insisted that he 'relies' on Gerard Pique despite the fact that the experienced centre-back has struggled for minutes early in the campaign.

"I spoke with Gerard Pique. The current situation is not easy for him, but he played well against Viktoria Plzen and put in a great run. I rely on him," Xavi told reporters.

The 35-year-old has made 607 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, contributing 53 goals and 15 assists in the process.

He has won eight La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies and three Champions League crowns during his time at Camp Nou and still has two years left to run on his contract.

Pique is behind Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde in terms of the starting roles at centre-back this season, though, and he has only featured twice this term.

The former Spain international played the second half of last week's European clash with Viktoria Plzen before taking part in the full 90 minutes against Cadiz last time out, but Pique is no longer first choice, and it might well be that he is deemed surplus to requirements at the start of 2023.

Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba was, arguably, one of Barcelona's best players during a disappointing 2021-22 campaign, but the 33-year-old is no longer first choice for the Catalan outfit.

Teenager Alejandro Balde has been preferred in the league, while Marcos Alonso started against Bayern in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Alba's future far from clear.

The Spaniard still has two years left to run on his deal, but he was allegedly offered to Inter Milan on loan in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

Alba recently revealed his frustration at his current situation, and it does appear that his time with Barcelona is coming to an end, with the club looking to the future.

The defender moved to Barcelona from Valencia in 2012, and he has represented the club on 433 occasions in all competitions, contributing 25 goals and 94 assists in the process.

There would certainly not be a shortage of takers if it became clear that he was available in January, and it might be seen as a risk to let the established performer leave considering his status.

Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay was widely expected to leave Barcelona over the summer, with a number of clubs credited with an interest in the Netherlands international.

The 28-year-old was believed to be close to joining Juventus, only for a move to the Italian giants to break down at the final moment.

Manchester United and Chelsea were also credited with an interest, but he stayed put and said in the latter stages of the window that he was "fully committed" to the club.

"I have decided to stay at Barca! Fully committed to contribute to the club's sporting success," the Dutchman posted on his official Twitter account.

Memphis has only played twice this season, though, featuring for 57 minutes in La Liga and 15 minutes in the Champions League, with a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order.

The forward's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire next June, but there is a chance that he could leave, potentially for free, during the January transfer window.