Xavi 'insists' on €60 million Barcelona signing

Stuart Telford

• 17 Jun 2023 21:24 BST
• 3 min read

Xavi is digging his heels in about signing Martin Zubimendi as a replacement for Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.

Barca have been told by La Liga to reduce their debt by €200 million this summer if they want to defend the title they recently won 10 points clear of Real Madrid next season.

But with club legend Busquets leaving, likely for either Saudi Arabia or Inter Miami, there is a gap to plug at the heart of Xavi's midfield, and he would like to do so with the acquisition of Zubimendi.

READ: Barcelona 'activate Plan B' after Messi rejection

Zubimendi has impressed in recent seasons at Real Sociedad, his ability to win back possession and beat the press before finding the right pass reminiscent of Busquets, but his acquisition would not come cheap.

"Xavi has turned his attention towards Zubimendi, who has a fixed release clause of €60m," report Mundo Deportivo. "Normally a figure within Barca's means, for a player under contract until 2027."

Available funds?

These, however, are not normal times for Barca. But given the club were budgeting for the return of Lionel Messi, who will now join David Beckham's project in Miami at the end of his PSG contract, there could be some movement in the transfer market.

READ: Xavi dreams of Arsenal legend as midfield solution

Barcelona still need to sell players, but they have already scoped out the possibility of raising €400m by the activation of more 'financial levers' - ergo further percentages of their audio-visual hub, Barca Studios.

And the first new player is already set to arrive, with Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque reportedly closing on a circa €40m transfer from Athletico Paranaense.

Zubimendi recently said "I'm more motivated to take Asier Illarramendi's No. 4 [jersey at Sociedad] than Busquets' No. 5 [at Barca]," but the Blaugrana remain convinced he could be persuaded to join.

Xavi clearly wants a new defensive midfielder, having publicly courted Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, while the possibility of getting Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan in exchange for Franck Kessie remains.