Flick approves first transfer as Barcelona manager

Suraj Radia

• 23 May 2024 19:00 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are finally edgeing closer to appointing Hansi Flick as their successor to Xavi and the new manager at the helm has already approved his first signing, according to reports from Spain.

Flick is said to be on the verge of agreeing a two-year deal to become the club’s new manager, with the hold-up said to be due to Barcelona having yet to have their final meeting to seal Xavi’s departure.

Barcelona had not considered Flick as a potential option when Xavi first announced his intention to leave in February but the ex-Bayern Munich boss became the preferred option in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Latest Barcelona transfer news

Xavi had initially performed a u-turn and was likely to remain as Barca’s manager but the board themselves are now looking for a new boss after a series of disagreements with the current coach.

SPORT have claimed that Flick is aware of Barcelona’s economic situation and has agreed a contract with a low base salary but with financial incentives based on titles won.

Flick and sporting director Deco are also said to agree on the footballing direction of the club, with the German approving the deal to sign Guido Rodriguez, who had signed a pre-contract agreement to join Barcelona this summer on a free from Real Betis.

Barcelona set to focus on raising money through sales under Flick

Rodriguez was part of Argentina’s squad that won the 2022 World Cup and the 30-year-old is out of contract at Betis, leading to Barcelona making their move for him earlier this year.

The defensive midfielder has impressed in his four years in Spain and had already agreed to join Barcelona, however he was waiting for the managerial situation to be resolved before finalising the deal.

READ MORE: Five players who could join Barcelona this summer

Flick has given his blessing to sign Rodriguez and Barca are also believed to be targeting a winger and another midfielder this summer, although the focus will be on sales with the incoming boss accepting that there may be ‘significant losses’ of star players.

Xavi’s exit should be finalised in the coming days, at which point Flick will sign a two-year contract with the option of a third and the ex-Germany boss is said to be hoping to lead a long-term project at Barcelona.