Xavi has outlined his Barcelona transfer strategy ahead of what will be a busy summer for the Catalan club, according to reports. More than 10 players are expected to be told they can leave Camp Nou.
Xavi’s impact at Barcelona has been remarkable. For the final 20 matches of the season, the Spanish giants top the La Liga form table.
January signings such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the ground running under the Spanish boss, and the former La Liga champions are starting to look more like their former selves. Now, Xavi wants to make further changes to his squad.
How did Barcelona make these signings?
January saw the arrival of Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Aubameyang at the Camp Nou. But their transfers were only made possible by a significant reduction in the wage bill.
Barcelona could not renew the contract of Lionel Messi last summer due to “financial and structural obstacles“. Barca did save on his huge wages despite the major disappointment at losing one of the best players ever to play the game.
In addition, the loan moves of Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa and Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid further cut down the financial strain on the club.
Aubameyang took a pay cut to join Barcelona, while the transfer of Ferran Torres was made possible by the structure of the deal.
The acquisition of Traore, too, was initially a loan. This saves any immediate outgoings and allowed the Spaniard to join the club where he played as a youngster.
Xavi’s Barcelona transfer plan
Xavi now wants to reduce his squad further, to allow him to bring in necessary reinforcements.
According to ESPN, more than 10 players will be allowed to leave. Among those touted for a summer departure are Miralem Pjanic, Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele.
The other names on the transfer list are Riqui Puig, Oscar Mingueza and Martin Brathwaite, whilst Clement Lenglet and Francisco Trincao are also seemingly unwanted. It is also claimed that Barca will allow loanees Luuk de Jong and Adama Traore to return to their parent clubs, instead of taking up the option of signing them permanently.
In addition to that, the financial situation Barcelona are in could see Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong leave Camp Nou this summer.
The difficulties
The biggest hurdle Xavi has to get particular players out of the door is wages. The Catalan club have offered players huhe contracts with significant pay packets over the years.
This makes finding a potential suitor difficult. Some of the players have been reluctant to take a pay cut to go elsewhere.
Both Martin Braithwaite and Pjanic appear keen to dig their heels in and see out their contract. Defender Clement Lenglet’s wages have prevented European clubs from making a potential move for the French centre-back.
Many of these players won’t be donning the Barcelona shirt next season if Xavi gets his wish. But despite the Spaniard’s aim, it may prove to be more difficult than he first thought.
Featured image credit: Getty
