Why uncertainty over Xavi's future is impacting Barcelona transfer plans

The uncertainty over Xavi Hernandez's future as Barcelona manager is impacting their summer transfer plans, according to reports in Spain.

The legendary former midfielder announced his intention to leave Barcelona at the end of January, saying at the time that the Catalan giants needed a "change of dynamic" after a period of poor form.

But performance levels have improved immeasurably following Xavi's bombshell announcement - they have now leapfrogged surprise package Girona into second in La Liga - and that's led to calls from supporters for him to change his mind and stay on.

Barca president Joan Laporta is confident he can change Xavi's mind about leaving, but it's likely he'll want significant transfer funds to boost a squad that has struggled to cope with a myriad of injury problems.

A new defensive midfielder has been on the agenda ever since Sergio Busquets departed for Inter Miami last summer, and Diario Sport suggest Barca will look to approach Girona's Aleix Garcia, Feyenoord's Mats Wieffer, Nice's Khephren Thuram, or Everton's Amadou Onana if Xavi does end up leaving.

Luring the latter could prove to be problematic, however, with Onana's asking price likely to be steep regardless of whether Everton are relegated from the Premier League.

If Xavi does stay, it's suggested that Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi will be the lead player in Barca's crosshairs - the 25-year-old who has been linked with a move to Premier League leaders Arsenal and has a £51m release clause written into his contract.

Zubimendi has played 29 times for Real Sociedad, who appeared in this season's Champions League, during 2023/24, and has five international caps for Spain under his belt, four of which have come over the past 12 months.

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