Ernesto Valverde has opened the door to Ivan Rakitic leaving Barcelona this summer.
Rakitic, 31, has been a mainstay in the Barcelona side since his move from Sevilla in 2014 but he faces a fight for his place next season.
Frenkie de Jong has joined from Ajax while Arthur and Carles Alena are also vying for a midfield spot alongside Sergio Busquets.
The arrival of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid could also lead to a tactical reshuffle for the Spanish champions.
Rakitic, who has been linked with Manchester United this summer, was on target against Chelsea in Japan on Tuesday.
But after the clash, Valverde refused to guarantee Rakitic a starting spot next term.
"Rakitic has been an important player, I don’t know if it will be this season," he said.
"New players are coming and he will have to earn it."
Manchester United are looking for midfield reinforcements following Ander Herrera's departure.
Bruno Fernandes and Sean Longstaff are both targets for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he looks to complete a deal before the transfer window closes.
Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea in Saitama with Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley on target for the Blues.
De Jong made his debut in the clash as Barca fans got to see their new signing in action.
On the defeat, he said: "Unfortunately, it was not a good game and we lost, but I felt very good to be the first game, it was my first minutes and I am happy."
"For me it is not important to play in one or another position, what I like is to play and it does not matter where it is. Valverde did not tell me that he was only going to play in a certain position."
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