For the past two weeks, David Villa and Cesc Fabregas has been dominating FC Barcelona news columns throughout the world. There is no clarity still with the pursuit of the ex-Barca star, but there looks like more trouble emerging for Barca from within the house. FC Barcelona management and fans has always been proud about their youth academy and the quality that churns out every season. Now it looks like that abundance of quality is going to give us a new headache this summer. Almost five players from FC Barcelona Athletic is at the end of their contract. Jonathan dos Santos, Thiago Alcantara, Victor Vasquez, Gai Assulin and Marc Bartra are the youngsters whose future needs to be resolved quickly. The biggest problem for negotiating a deal is the lack of first team action at Barca. Jonathan dos Santos and Thiago saw some first team actions this season under Guardiola, but with Barca going for a buying spree they may see very limited action next season.
Jonathan has left for Mexico to join the Mexican national team. He has been selected in the 24 man initial squad for World cup. At the time of his leaving for National duty, Barca has not been able to reach a deal about his future. The club has been negotiating with him for sometime and the hope is that we will be able to pin him to a new deal after the World Cup. He along with Thiago is very much in Guardiola's plans. But at an age of 20 he is going to demand more first team action. Thiago's case is also similar as the club has not yet been able to tie him down with a deal. But it is believed that the negotiations are pretty much in an advanced stage. Gai Assulin's future at the club is not clear so is Victor Vasquez. Assulin is being courted by teams from England and both could move away from the club in search of first team action. Marc Bartra also will see his contract end in June, but the club is very much involved in extending the deal. Along with Muniesa, he is expected to take over the Barca's defensive reigns in the future.
As I said earlier, the biggest problem is that lack of first team action. If Fabregas also returns, then the midfielders will see very less action. In that aspect the club will be hoping that FC Barcelona Athletic secures promotion in play-off.