Barcelona set sights on Spanish duo on Xavi’s request

With the January transfer window not that far, Barcelona are formulating plans to bolster their squad as they look to get their campaign back on track after a sloppy start, that has all but ruled out a La Liga title charge.

The Catalans have overseen a change of managers as club legend Xavi Hernandez has taken over the reins after the sacking of Ronald Koeman. This shift will also lead to a possible alteration of transfer plans, with the 41-year-old head coach seemingly keen on building a roster that suits his plans best.

To that end, Xavi is intent on adding a versatile attacker to the ranks, who can play on either flank or through the middle as a No.9. Pace on the flanks, ability to stick to the wings or attack spaces on the inside channels are some of the attributes that the manager wants in the player.

Mundo Deportivo now reports that the Barcelona legend has narrowed in on two options that fit the profile in the form of RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo and Manchester City’s Spanish forward Ferran Torres.

Olmo has been on the radars of Barcelona for a while now. In fact, the Blaugrana made an attempt to sign him up late in the summer transfer window, but RB Leipzig were unwilling to do a deal. The interest in the 23-year-old has continued, with Xavi and his staff also believed to be huge admirers of the Spanish international.

Olmo was one of Spain’s best performers at the UEFA Euro 2020. He has shown that he can play out wide, or through the middle, create chances and score goals himself. Furthermore, the former Dinamo Zagreb ace is keen on returning to Barca after having left the club’s academy back in 2014.

Torres is another player that Barcelona have been monitoring for a while. Since moving to Manchester City from Valencia, the 21-year-old has developed a great deal under Pep Guardiola and added goalscoring acumen to his game.

Very much comfortable playing on either wing or as a centre-forward, Torres is seen as an integral part of the plans at the Etihad Stadium, with his contract also running till the summer of 2025. So, prying him away from the Cityzens could prove to be difficult for Barca.