Xavi has requested ten players for Barcelona in the summer transfer window

Xavi has put forward a request of signing as many as ten new players in the summer transfer window, claims a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes.

As put by the publisher, the aim of Barcelona at this very moment is to build a squad capable of competing for titles. For this to happen, president Joan Laporta, sporting director Mateu Alemany and Xavi have shortlisted a whopping ten areas where the team needs reinforcement. 

With the January transfer window all but over, the club is expecting a significant overhaul in the summer, including the departures of several first-team members.

In that regard, players such as Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong, Martin Braithwaite, Sergino Dest, Neto, Riqui Puig, and Luuk de Jong are all expected to leave. 

While some players no longer find a place in Xavi’s plans, others would most probably be sold in order to stretch the wage bill and bring in some kind of revenue. In turn, the club expects several incomings too.

While there’s no confirmation over the names, the areas that need strengthening have been identified.

This includes a left-footed centre-back, one centre-back to be used as rotation, two right-backs (a starter and a substitute), a backup left-back, a defensive midfielder to replace Sergio Busquets, a backup central midfielder, a right-winger, a starting centre-forward and a finally a rotating frontman.

The idea here is to either replace the deadwood or strengthen the position by bringing in more competition. 

With Sergino Dest’s future in jeopardy and Dani Alves only available until 2023, they need to find a long-term solution. Noussair Mazraoui has been linked with a Bosman move since his contract clocks up in June. Thomas Meunier was also rumoured to be on Xavi’s wishlist.

Similarly, Busquets is not getting any younger, and it has been made quite evident during his recent performances. Olympique Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara is thought to be on Barcelona’s radar, along with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria.

Thus, a defensive midfielder. Furthermore, with the signing of Ferran Torres on a permanent move, and Adama Traore arriving on loan, Barcelona will wait until the end of the season to see whether they need a right-winger or not.

Lastly, it’s quite given that Barcelona are in dire need of a poacher. Hence, the demand for two centre-forward comes as no surprise. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could move as a short-term solution, while Erling Haaland is undoubtedly Barcelona’s long-term goal.