I don't think it would be a bad thing for Arda to be sold in the summer. We rely need an injection of youth in our midfield and hopefully it will come from Roberto, Rafinha and Suarez. And we will have Busi, Iniesta and Raki as well which makes for good balance.
The issue with Arda is that he doesn't look like he can play here and doesn't look comfortable playing Barca football.
I feel like the Arda singing itself was rushed and poorly analyzed because essentially he was a campaigning token for Barto.
I wouldn't be surprised if Roberto and Rafinha (we have yet to see about Suarez) will always be considered as squad players and not a 1st team material in the eyes of a board and coaches.
In short:
-- when we had Iniesta, Rakitic, Busi=Rafinha and Roberto were squad players
Then, instead of giving more chances to youngsters, we bought Arda.
I wouldn't be too much surprised that:
1. if Arda stays=he will again be infront of Rafinha and Roberto, even though forum would like to see youngsters
2. plus, if we sell Arda, imo, we are closer to again buy some random expensive and more proven star like Pogba, Gundogan, Ozil or who knows who, while youngsters will keep getting squad-player minutes, as always.
Don't get me wrong, I like Roberto a lot and (slightly less) Rafinha, but unless if they improve significantly in upcoming years, we will probably always buy "someone else (for a starting 11)".
If they will improve a lot (like young Xavi and Iniesta in their age), they will get more chances.
Also, before someone jumps and reply: "But they need time and chances if we want to see an improvement".
Well, true, but only to some extent.
Players need time and opportunities, but also they need tons of natural talent.
While these guys surely have a talent, imo, I am not too sure that they have a level of talent to be Barca's starters in CL final (but, anything can happen...).
What I am trying to say: even though we had young talents and possibly good players on some other positions (like Montoya, Grimaldo, Deulo, Bartra), unless they make a huge impact, the board always buys "someone else" and these homegrown players either get sold or stay squad players forever.
Again, before someone jumps and say: you can't compare Montoya and Grimaldo with Roberto.
True.
But the point is the same.
While these guys weren't good enough even to be squad players and we bough someone else (to be squad players), it isn't too different with Roberto.
If he is "good enough" only for a squad level, the history has taught us that FC Barcelona will in majority of cases buy some random, new, better guy aged 25, 28 or 30 for much more money.
Also, Roberto is 24 already, and he isn't getting too many midfield minutes since January and since Arda is available.
Add to that, in the next season, Roberto will have to share even more minutes with Rafinha and Suarez.
So, if there is really a chance to sell Arda this summer, don't close the door to a new, random expensive midfield signing from Arda's money.
That's how we always build our squad (except in cases of Xavi, Iniesta and Busi, but those are players who came once in a century...)
