Xavi wants exit-linked Barcelona attacker to stay despite board’s desire to sell him

Barcelona have a squad overhaul at their hands ahead of the summer transfer window as they look to offload some stars in the hopes of raising money through player sales.

They have been asked to reduce the wage bill by at least €200 million to meet Financial Fair Play requirements. An economic feasibility plan has been submitted, though, and it will likely be approved on 19th May.

The list of players on their transfer list is rather long, with the club looking to sell the likes of Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Franck Kessie, and Eric Garcia, among others.

It also contains Raphinha, who is garnering interest from the Premier League. He was close to joining Chelsea before Barcelona latched on to that deal and signed him for around €60 million last summer.

Despite the board’s desire to sell him, though, Xavi wants Raphinha to continue, as per a report by UOL.

Raphinha has been in top form for Barcelona all season, scoring seven goals and giving seven assists in the league across 32 appearances.

While he is not Xavi’s first-choice for the right-wing, he has filled in brilliantly for Ousmane Dembele, who missed three months of football due to injury recently.

Newcastle United are one of the parties interested in Raphinha’s signature, and have sent in a verbal proposal for around €80 million. La Liga are also aware about the proposal as Barça have already accounted for it in the financial feasibility plan sent to them.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the player, and could enter a bidding war for his services.

While it is well-documented that Raphinha does not want to leave the club a season after joining, but there have also been contradictory reports claiming that he is open to offers.