Mascherano, Arda & even Umtiti? The stars that could go in Barcelona clearance sale

As reported by Goal, Javier Mascherano's proposed move to Hebei China Fortune is almost a done deal. All that remains now is for the deal to be finalised, meaning the Argentine's eight-year stay at Camp Nou is coming to a close.

The versatile defender will depart with his head held high and with the gratitude of Blaugrana fans the world over, having helped the Catalan club win 17 trophies, including two Champions Leagues, since arriving from Liverpool in August 2010.

Arda Turan is another player almost certain to leave Camp Nou before this month. The Turkish attacker has not made anything like the same impact as Mascherano, having failed dismally to justify the €34 million fee Barca paid Atletico Madrid for his services in 2015.

Of course, Arda was not eligible for selection until January of the following year due to the Catalans' transfer ban but even when he has played, the winger has severely underwhelmed.

As a result, Barca are now desperate to remove him from their wage bill and the 30-year-old is set to join Istanbul Basaksehir before the week is out.

Gerard Deulofeu revitalised his career during a sensational six-month loan spell at AC Milan, prompting Barcelona to enact the buy-back clause they had inserted in the winger's contract when they sold him to Everton in 2015.

The 23-year-old had hoped that his second spell at Camp Nou would turn out differently to his first but, in spite of the considerable void left by Neymar's move to Paris Saint-German and an early-season injury to Ousmane Dembele, Deulofeu has been unable to convince Ernesto Valverde that he is worthy of a regular starting berth. 

A January return to Italy now sees inevitable, with Napoli and Inter leading the chase to sign a player who is desperate to represent Spain at this summer's World Cup in Russia. Barca, though, will not accept anything less than €10m for Deulofeu.

After an injury-plagued year, Rafinha is now looking to revitalise his career and Barcelona believe that the versatile midfielder would be well served by a move away from Camp Nou, given the intense competition for places within the Liga leaders' starting 11.

The Catalans are open to offers for their youth academy product but, given suitors such as Serie A side Inter have understandable doubts over his fitness, a January loan deal with the option of a permanent switch at the end of the season seems the more likely outcome.

Aleix Vidal may have endeared himself to Barcelona fans by netting the final goal in December's 3-0 rout of Clasico rivals Real Madrid but that goal is unlikely to be enough to salvage his Camp Nou career.

Indeed, the attacking right-back has never truly convinced as a legitimate heir to Dani Alves' throne and is now set to return from whence he came in 2015, with the 28-year-old set to rejoin Sevilla.

Barca are demanding €15m but it is only a matter of time before a compromise is reached.

Barcelona were overjoyed at having beaten Real Madrid to the signing of Andre Gomes from Valencia in 2016 for €35m (with a potential €20m in add-ons) but the Portugal international has proven a colossal waste of money, looking nothing like the successor to Andres Iniesta that some felt he could be.

Both the club and the player have grown incredibly frustrated by the situation, with the 24-year-old having already requested that he be allowed to leave in January. However, Barca will not sanction a sale unless they can recoup a significant portion of his original transfer fee. As a result, a summer exit looks more probable.

A January departure looked a distinct possibility for Thomas Vermaelen earlier in the year, as he struggled with yet another injury, but the veteran centre-half's situation has changed dramatically over the past month.

The Belgium international has started Barca's last six games, including the Clasico win at the Santiago Bernabeu, and with fellow defender Javier Mascherano heading for the exit door at Camp Nou, Vermaelen will stay in Catalunya until at least the end of the season.

The signing of Philippe Coutinho sparked a flurry of rumours that Ivan Rakitic might be on his way out of Barcelona, with Liverpool, Juventus and Arsenal all having been reported to be interested in the Croatia international. 

Barcelona have little interest in selling the 29-year-old, who has both rediscovered his best form this season and proven his versatility by occasionally standing in for Sergio Busquets at the base of the Blaugrana midfield, but an offer of more than €40m could prompt a rethink. 

For now, though, Rakitic, who is under contract until 2021, is staying put.

In light of what happened with Neymar, Barcelona fans are understandably antsy about the fact that Samuel Umtiti's buy-out clause is a mere €60m, a most enticing figure that has understandably piqued the interest of both Manchester clubs. 

However, the Catalan club are working on a new contract for the ever-improving 24-year-old centre-half that would increase both his buy-out clause and his wage, as well as extending his stay at Camp Nou beyond 2021. 

It's fair to say that Paco Alcacer's move from Valencia to Barcelona hasn't gone quite as planned, with the striker having only managed to score eight times in La Liga since joining for €30m in August 2016. 

However, while there was talk earlier this season of a January transfer, not to mention the reported interest of Everton in recent days, the Spain international is set to stay at Camp Nou for at least the remainder of the season, so as to continue to provide much-needed back-up for first-choice No.9 Luis Suarez.