Barcelona tell Xavi to pick between TWO transfer targets

Suraj Radia

• 13 May 2023 14:52 BST
• 2 min read

Xavi has been told that he can only make one major signing this summer, with the Barcelona boss forced to decide between two players due to the club’s financial situation.

Barca have been told by La Liga that they cannot register any new signings until they lower their wage bill and recoup €200 million in players sales this summer.

Xavi met with president Joan Laporta and Deco, who is expected to replace Mateu Alemany as the club’s director, and the manager was informed that Barca’s ‘room for manoeuvre’ this summer is ‘very limited’ due to ‘fair play’, according to Spanish outlet AS.

REPLACEMENTS: Five players Barca could sign to replace Busquets

As a result, Xavi has been made to choose which position or player he prioritises a big investment in, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Juan Foyth of Villarreal believed to be the two options on the table.

Zubimendi could be preferred as he is a long-term target of Xavi’s and is seen as the best replacement for outgoing captain Sergio Busquets, with the 24-year-old having a €60m release clause in his deal.

However, Xavi is also aware that Barca need to strengthen at right-back, leading to a renewed chase for Foyth having failed to sign him last year, and the Argentine also has a release clause of €54m.

What are Barcelona’s summer transfer plans?

Barca are still hoping to complete a deal to bring Lionel Messi back to the club when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer, although the 35-year-old is only interested if any offer has been pre-authorised by La Liga.

Xavi’s side will also target other players on free transfers this summer, with Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez already having agreed to join, while Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City is also liked.

REVEALED: How Busquets exit holds key to Messi return at Barca

Sofyan Amrabat, a star for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, is also being considered as a cheaper alternative to Zubimendi, with Fiorentina willing to cash in on the midfielder for €6m as he enters the final year of his contract.

As for right backs, Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo of Man City are options but neither would be cheaper or more realistic than Foyth, further complicating Xavi’s decision.