Xavi locks in on the top priority for Barcelona in the winter transfer market

With Xavi confirmed as the new Barcelona manager, the focus will now shift to getting the season back on track as well as the recruitment strategy for the winter transfer window.

The Catalans are currently ten points off leaders Real Madrid in the La Liga standings and having gone four games without a win in the competition, need to turn things around at the earliest possible.

At the same time, Barca will also need to make some inroads into the transfer market in January to address an injury-ravaged squad. The attacking department, in particular, has been hit hard with injuries for the Blaugrana this season and new players need to be brought in, in order to ensure adequate depth in the roster for the rest of the season.

And, according to Javi Miguel of Diario AS, Xavi has already decided on what position he wants to strengthen as a priority come January. The 41-year-old is keen on bolstering his options in the wide areas by adding a speedy winger.

Barcelona, as things stand, have Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay as the senior options out wide, along with youngster Yusuf Demir and the struggling Philippe Coutinho.

However, both Dembele and Fati have been struggling with this season. The Frenchman picked up a hamstring injury on the day he made his return from a lengthy period out on the sidelines. As for Fati, he also injured his hamstring on Saturday against Celta Vigo.

Given these issues and the lack of progress Demir showed after a bright pre-season, it makes sense for Xavi and Barca to look for another winger.

In fact, Manchester City superstar Raheem Sterling is a player who has been linked heavily with a move to Camp Nou since the summer. It remains to be seen if it is the England international that Barcelona sign or they go after someone else. But, for now, a pacy winger is a top priority for new manager, Xavi.