Barcelona is looking for a pivot midfielder to succeed departing club captain Sergio Busquets. Therefore numerous names are in their radar as potential targets. Manager Xavi Hernandez, on the other hand, remains hooked on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. According to prior reports, the Barcelona veteran believes the La Real ace as the right player to take the pivot position. The midfielder’s €60 million release clause, combined with his reluctance to leave the Basque club, makes his signing practically impossible.
Barcelona coach desperately wants to sign Martin Zubimendi
Despite this, Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo reports that Xavi is passionate about signing Zubimendi, despite being mindful of the obstacles involved in pursuing the Real Sociedad ace. This news comes after the Blaugrana effectively ruled out signing another of their targets, Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. Xavi wants Barcelona to pursue Zubimendi, despite the player’s recent statement that he is more enthusiastic about “wearing Illarramendi’s No. 4 than Busquets’ No. 5.”
The statements spoken by Zubimendi did not affect anyone’s perception of him in Barcelona. Instead, the technical staff believes that the 24-year-old is showing respect for his club. And they’re striving to satisfy Xavi by getting the signing completed.
However Real Sociedad seems unconcerned about the situation. They feel so because they feel Zubimendi isn’t interested in leaving the club. Furthermore, their manager, Imanol Alguacil, is confident that the midfielder will be retained in his squad next season. So it will be interesting to watch if Barcelona is successful in changing the player’s or La Real’s stance in the coming weeks and arranging a transfer move.
Barcelona, on the other hand, is looking at alternative options at the pivot. Hence MD suggesting that Marcelo Brozovic and Guido Rodriguez are their “Plan B” targets. Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is also an option further down the list. Signing a suitable pivot this summer is critical for Barcelona. Mateu Alemany and Deco have to carry out an extensive search as the club prepares to live without Sergio Busquets in 2023-24.
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