Operation Exit at Barça: Mathieu, Turan, Digne and Rafinha

Barcelona's planning for the 2017-18 season is underway. The confirmation of Ernesto Valverde as manager for the next two seasons (plus the option for a third year) means that in the coming weeks the club can begin to firm up the squad. 

There will have to be 'Operation Exit' after a season which has not fulfilled expectations and there are a number of players who may be waving goodbye to Barça. 

Two already have their foot out the door. We're talking about Jeremy Mathieu and Arda Turan. There are two more players who may follow them, too. Lucas Digne and Rafinha are in that bracket. Here are the outstanding cases: 

JEREMY MATHIEU: JUST WAITING ON VALVERDE

The French defender has fallen out of favour under Luis Enrique since half time in the first leg of the Champions League loss to Juventus in Turin. He has not played since and ended the season with an injury, so that game against Juve is likely to be his last. 

Barça played 20 million euros for him three summers ago and he has one year left on his contract, but everything suggests he will not complete it... unless Valverde decides otherwise. It was the new Barça manager who converted Mathieu into a central defender from a left-back when he was at Valencia several seasons ago. Now, only he can save his Barcelona career. 

arda turan: SAYING GOODBYE? 

Arda Turan was in the background at Barça celebrated their Copa del Rey win against Alaves. The Turkish international is aware he's had a secondary role, with his participation decreasing at the end of the season. 

With a contract until 2020, Barça can regather some of the money they spent on him. He and his agent have said he wants to stay at Camp Nou, but they may change their minds. There are offers from Chine, but also from various European clubs. Once again. Valverde will have the final say but it's likely he will leave if Barça's price demands are met. 

LUCAS DIGNE: LYON ARE KEEN 

Lucas Digne has always shown his desire to stay with Barcelona for a second season after spending the last few months adapting to his new surroundings. His role has decreased as the season went on, though, with Jordi Alba playing at left-back and a back three used at other times. 

The fact that Barça are on the look out for other left-backs -- they tried for Theo Hernandez, but he went to Real Madrid -- suggests they would be prepared to let Digne go. And in the last few days he has been strongly linked with a move to Lyon, where Barça signed his compatriot Samuel Umtiti from. 

And while Digne doesn't want to leave, he does want more minutes in a World Cup year. He's had no stability recently: Lille, PSG, Roma, Barcelona...

RAFINHA: NEEDS MINUTES... NO LUCHO

If any player will be affected by Luis Enrique's departure it could be Rafinha. The Asturian coach was one of his biggest admirers, with Barça B, Celta Vigo and then Barcelona. This season he was the 12th man but once again was hit with injuries. 

His father, Mazinho, said recently that Rafinha needs minutes in order to be called up by Tite for the World Cup in Russia next summer. He has a contract until 2020 and his release clause is 75 million euros. But Barça are ready to talk. Juventus, Roma and Liverpool have all been linked with him.