Dani Alves left out of Barcelona’s Europa League squad but new signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Adama Traore, and Ferran Torres are picked

Barcelona defender Dani Alves will not be part of Xavi’s Europa League squad due to competition rules, but new recruits Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Adama Traore and Ferran Torres are all included.

Alves returned to Barca in December, but has found game time limited, mainly featuring in just cup matches.

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The reason for the Brazilian's absence is due to the fact the Catalan giants are only allowed to register three new players, with Xavi preferring Torres, Traore and Aubameyang.

All three give Barcelona more attacking options, with Xavi keen to add more goals to his side. Barca have netted just 19 goals in 14 games in all competitions since he took over from Ronald Koeman in November last year.

It is likely Traore will be the man to replace Alves given he is able to operate at right wing-back, as well as his preferred right-wing position. The club also have ex-Ajax star Sergino Dest and homegrown talent Oscar Mingueza, 22, who are also able to fill-in as backup when needed.

Ronald Araujo, and the experienced Sergi Roberto have also featured in the position in the past and could also come into consideration.

On Wednesday, the club announced the signing of Aubameyang on a free transfer after Arsenal terminated the Gabon international's contract. The 32-year-old put pen-to-paper on a deal until June 2025 which includes a buyout clause of £84million.

Barcelona will be hoping he can hit the ground running and help fire them past Napoli who they take on in the last-16 of the Europa League on February 17 at the Camp Nou, before travelling to Naples a week later.

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The club dropped into the Europa League in December after finishing behind Bayern Munich and Benfica in their Champions League group.

Another player who is included in the squad is misfit Ousmane Dembele, who was previously told by the club during the transfer window that he was surplus to requirements, having failed to agree a new deal.

Since then, Dembele has committed himself to the club in a public statement, as he looks to resurrect his career at the Nou Camp and prove to Xavi that he has a future in Catalonia.

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Full squad

Goalkeepers: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Neto, Arnau Tenas, Ander Astralaga

Centre-backs: Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Eric Garcia, Oscar Mingueza, Samuel Umtiti, Arnau Comas

Full-backs: Sergino Dest, Sergi Roberto; Jordi Alba, Alejandro Balde

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Jandro; Riqui Puig, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Nico Gonzalez, Gavi, Alvaro Sanz

Wingers: Adama Traore, Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele, Ilias Akhomach; Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay

Strikers: Luuk de Jong, Martin Braithwaite, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang