EXCLUSIVE: Xavi’s Barcelona DEMANDS revealed as coach nears spectacular U-turn

Steve Kay

• Updated: 5 Apr 2024 20:36 BST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Barcelona are desperate for Xavi to remain at the club beyond the end of the season – and it appears increasingly probable that they will get their way.

FootballTransfers understands that Xavi looks increasingly likely to change his stance but has made a series of demands for the board to agree to, including a string of changes in his squad.

The 44-year-old announced in January his intention to stand down as head coach with the Camp Nou side, but Barca president Joan Laporta has since been working incessantly to change the mind of his manager.

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In charge at Barcelona since 2021, Xavi won LaLiga last term and has guided the Blaugrana into the quarter-finals of the Champions League this time around.

The legendary midfielder, though, is set to put down a series of demands.

According to FootballTransfers’ source close to Barcelona, Xavi has asked for at least two major summer signings to supplement his squad. In addition to this, he also wants certain players sold.

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Xavi vital for Barcelona’s future

Barcelona are desperate for Xavi to stay primarily for two reasons.

The first is that they cannot afford any of the major candidates they have been linked to. With Liverpool and Bayern Munich also on the lookout for a new head coach this summer, competition is fierce in this particular market. Both these clubs can afford to throw more money at the problem than Barca.

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In addition to this, Barcelona want Xavi to stay because they believe he is better placed than any other candidate to get the team playing in the club’s traditional style.

The midfielder has moved away from tiki-taka due to pragmatic demands, but the ultimate goal is to return to that style, and Laporta and his backroom staff believe Xavi is best placed to achieve this.