Xavi continues to see the arrival of a pivot as a priority, but Zubimendi remains utopian
The Argentine from Betis is liked by the coach and continues without renewing
Barça’s sports management continues to work on preparing the squad for next season. He has an agreement in principle to incorporate Vitor Roque, the arrival of Iñigo Martínez is closed and Gündogan’s decision is pending for this week.
The coach, Xavi Hernández, however, insists that it is essential to reinforce the position of midfielder after the goodbye of Sergio Busquets. The one from Badia del Vallès, who this week could decide where he will play next season, was a capital player for the one from Terrassa and he wants a player as close to him as possible. “It must be a 9 out of 10”, he has repeated on more than one occasion.
His favorite has always been Martín Zubimendi, but the arrival of the Basque seems utopian. First because Real Sociedad does not want to negotiate and refers to the termination clause of 60 million euros, a prohibitive amount for Barça. Second, because the player has always said that his wish is to play next season with Real in the Champions League.
Martin Zubimendi, in front of the Barça
| Javi Ferrandiz
Another name that, for Xavi, reaches that 9 out of 10 that he wants, is that of Joshua Kimmich, but Bayern have made it very clear that they do not intend to negotiate for one of their references.
The list of possible substitutes for Busquets is shrinking, as the club’s favorite, Rúben Neves, is close to accepting an offer from Saudi Arabia once Barça found it difficult to hire him. There was an agreement with him and his agent, Jorge Mendes, but it came to nothing as the Portuguese representative was unable to get Ansu Fati into the operation.
guido rodriguez
All eyes are now on Betis’ Argentine Guido Rodríguez, who has always been high on Xavi’s shopping list.. The Argentine, world champion in Qatar, has a contract with the Verdiblanca entity until June 30, 2024 and has not yet renewed, so Betis should sell him this summer to make some cash. In Seville they do not rule out, however, that the player can renew, but with an exit agreement.
Barça has not yet made any movement in this regard because it is still pending the departures and the ‘Fair Play’ that it may have, but other names could enter the operation. There are two players, Nico and Abde, who are of interest to Betis and who are well known to the Andalusian club’s top sports manager, Ramon Planes.