Barcelona clears more salary cap room on deadline day

By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) — Barcelona was busy in the beginning of the transfer window trying to boost its squad and making some high-profile signings that included Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. But near the transfer deadline the focus was mainly on getting rid of players to clear up some extra salary cap room. Barcelona worked to offload players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sergiño Dest and Martin Braithwaite, allowing for the possible last-minute arrivals of defenders Héctor Bellerín from Arsenal and Marcos Alonso from Chelsea. Dest reached a deal with AC Milan and Braithwaite with Espanyol, while Aubameyang was close to returning to England to join Chelsea.