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Barça: Xavi's two priorities for the mercato

12/05/23 10:41 by Fabien Borne

Xavi Hernandez has asked the Barça management to do everything possible to recruit Lionel Messi and Martin Zubimendi in the summer mercato according to Mundo Deportivo.

Lionel Messi and Martin Zubimendi are on the front page of the Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo this Friday. The Argentinian star, whose contract with PSG expires on June 30, and the Basque midfielder, who is tied to Real Sociedad until 2027, are presented as the two priorities of Xavi Hernandez for the summer mercato.

Barca made official on Wednesday the summer departure of Sergio Busquets and will seek to replace its defensive midfielder this summer. Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina) and Guido Rodriguez (Betis) have been mentioned in recent days, but according to Mundo Deportivo and several other Catalan media, the priority of Xavi Hernandez in the middle is still Martin Zubimendi.

Zubimendi has a €60 million clause

Problem is that the 24-year-old Spanish midfielder extended his contract with Real Sociedad last year until June 2027 with a release clause set at €60 million. In principle, the Basque club will not negotiate his departure this summer and will therefore have to pay the amount of his clause to recruit him. "Xavi considers Zubimendi to be the player with the closest profile to Busquets on the market, " writes MD, adding that the Barcelona coach "wants the club to make an effort to sign Martin Zubimendi."

According to Mundo Deportivo, Lionel Messi is the other priority of Xavi Hernandez for this summer. The Barcelona coach is convinced that the Argentine will bring more quality to his team's game, while guaranteeing a certain number of goals and assists. If Xavi's desires are identified, his leaders will have to fight to convince the Spanish League to give them the green light to carry out their policy.

Barça is waiting for the green light from La Liga

On this subject, the Spanish League could give its answer to Barça on May 19 according to the latest echoes from Spain. Interviewed by MundoDeportivo, Barça vice-president Eduard Romeu said he was convinced that the authority would validate the economic solvency plan presented by his club next week.

Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, was more cautious: "I don't know Barça's viability plan and I can't say anything about what Barça could save with Busquets' departure. The future of Barcelona does not depend on the departure of a single player, it depends on the recruits they want to make. Busquets' departure is the beginning of a path, but to get to the end, we need to go a few more meters."

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