Xavi clear about his preferred option to replace Busquets at Barcelona

Given Sergio Busquets’ delicate situation at FC Barcelona, it is understood that the team is prepared to make a move for a midfielder. In that regard, the names that have been brought up are Wolves’ Ruben Neves and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

However, as journalist Ferran Martinez writes for Mundo Deportivo, manager Xavi Hernandez and the sport management staff are more inclined toward Zubimendi as they believe his style of play resembles that of Busquets.

As far as Neves is concerned, although the team believes he is an exciting option mostly because he ends his current Wolves deal in 2024, he is not the kind of player who would fit in Xavi’s scheme of things.

Now, it’s not that the Portuguese has never played in a 4-3-3 system. In fact, he played in the same formation during Portugal’s 2022 FIFA World Cup run in Qatar but the fact of the matter is that the 25-year-old usually relies on someone to play by his side. At Wolves, that player is Joao Moutinho.

Zubimendi, on the other hand, is Xavi’s personal preference, but his transfer is more than complicated as his contract with Real Sociedad ends in 2027 and has a release clause worth €60 million in his deal.

For now, Zubimendi is the only option Barcelona are working on as they think his approach and style of play are similar to that of Busquets.

The 23-year-old Sociedad midfielder can pull the team out of difficult situations and does not really rely on someone to play by his side in a 4-3-3.

On top of that, the experience of playing in Spanish La Liga is just another bonus, which is why Xavi is so clear about his preference.

Regardless of what has been said, however, any negotiation for Zubimendi will not be easy and moreover, even if Barcelona are willing to meet the aforementioned clause, they will have to do so by complying with the financial fair play rules.