Even as recently as a few weeks ago, the thought of allowing Ilkay Gundogan to leave the club would not have been contemplated.
How quickly things can change where football is concerned.
The emergence of more young players from La Masia’s production line has evidently put the cat amongst the pigeons as far as Barca are concerned.
On the one hand, Gundo offers a seriousness to his craft and requisite experience that should be right at home at any of European football’s top clubs.
For that type of player there’s a price to pay, and perhaps the truth of the matter is that Barca have seen an opportunity to rid themselves of another big wage.