Xavi BETRAYAL uncovered as Barcelona warned about ‘PROBLEMATIC’ star

Robin Bairner

29 May 2024 07:30 BST
3 min read

Barcelona’s transfer plans for the summer have had to be changed following the club’s decision to sack head coach Xavi, with several files now up in the air.

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Sporting director Deco would have overseen all the deals in any case, but one particularly exciting transfer could be shot down following a report that has landed on his desk.

Barcelona were hotly linked with a move for Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich, but according to AS, the Germany international star is considered a “problematic” influence behind the scenes.

READ MORE: Why did Barcelona sack Xavi?

STATS

Joshua Kimmich

DM (CRL)

Bayern

Joshua Kimmich

DM (CRL)

Bayern

43

Games
2

Goals
9

Assists

His relationship with incoming Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick is certainly questionable. He was seen in a documentary questioning Flick’s approach during a Germany team meeting at the 2022 World Cup, and it is reported that there is a strained feeling between the men.

A move for Kimmich would have been tricky in any case given the finances involved – it was already reported that Barcelona would struggle to match his wage demands while how the club would pay his transfer fee had not even been considered – yet this report appears to be the final nail in the coffin for a move.

Araujo truth revealed

What went on behind the scenes between Xavi and Ronald Araujo has been revealed by Catalunya Radio, with the station detailing how the centre-back felt betrayed by his former boss.

Privately, Xavi is said to have told the Uruguay star that he was counting on him for the future, but Araujo was stunned to discover that he was on the list of possible summer departures when it was leaked to the media.

Current ETV

Ronald Araujo

D (CR)

Barcelona

Ronald Araujo

D (CR)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€32.6M - €54.4M

As such, the relationship between the pair deteriorated towards the end of the season.

Araujo started the campaign in world-leading form but by the end of the season frequently found himself on the bench. He started only four of the last 11 LaLiga fixtures.