11 January 2023 , 16:10
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Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is on a fresh collision course with the club over their plans to offload several big-name players this year.
The coach is already at odds with Barca's plans for replacing long-serving midfielder Sergio Busquets at the end of the campaign. Barca president Joan Laporta is pushing for the club to sign Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, as the club supremo shares a close relationship with his agent Jorge Mendes.
However, Xavi prefers Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi while the club's sporting directorate is unconvinced a new signing is required in the position as they believe Frenkie de Jong can play that role – but Xavi disagrees.
Chelsea completing the loan signing of Joao Felix is likely to throw up another dilemma for the club with Atletico Madrid actively pushing to sign Barca forward Memphis Depay as a replacement for the Portuguese star until the end of the campaign.
Last week, Barca boss Xavi ruled out any exits from the Camp Nou first-team squad in January, telling the press: "I don't want Memphis [Depay] or any other player to leave in January. I think it's going be a quiet window for us."
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Fresh reports from Spanish TV show El Chiringuito outline how another three first-team forwards are available for sale this year amid the club’s ongoing financial difficulties – which have been well-documented. Barca must reduce their current wage bill from €600million to €400m for next season to comply with La Liga’s strict financial rules.
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The report has claimed that not only is Memphis available to leave the club but three other forwards, including two who joined for big-money deals in the past year. Ferran Torres and Raphinha – signed from Manchester City and Leeds respectively – along with Ansu Fati.
The three players are said to command a market value that would receive transfer fees that would help ease the club’s financial issues while also reducing the wage bill. In contrast to that trio, Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele are said to have been classified as ‘untransferable’ for Barca as they hold greater importance for the team.
The availability of those players is likely to alert clubs across Europe although it is more feasible that Barca will not consider their exits until the summer transfer window as they push for the title in La Liga alongside their cup commitments in the Europa League and Copa del Rey.