Xavi rejects the chance to sign €35-million rated Man United striker for Barcelona – report

Barcelona and Real Madrid: a rivalry that transcends football, and delves into the political, historical, and social. Unsurprisingly, unsettling the other side via signings has been central to presidential campaigns: Neymar, Vinicius, David Beckham; in-demand signings have been a source of war for both clubs.

Another such platform is former players: Luis Enrique, Samuel Eto’o, Luis Figo. Signing the rivals’ players has been a power move for both clubs, and as per El Nacional, Joan Laporta was planning an unprecedented operation, only for it to be struck down by Xavi: Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is no surprise that Barcelona are woeful upfront (and generally) this season. With their worst attacking record in the last seven years, reinforcing the attack is a priority for Joan Laporta, primarily down the centre with a number nine.

Barça were offered Ronaldo by Jorge Mendes, and the president was ecstatic at the chance of signing the Portuguese, in his continuing battle against Florentino Pérez. 

Despite the seemingly Herculean task that registering players posits to the club, Ronaldo would be an absolute statement, at least as per Laporta. Bringing in a reportedly unsettled Real Madrid legend to Camp Nou would certainly assert some sort of Catalan supremacy in an age where the Blancos seem to be well above Barcelona’s level (at least by their 17 point lead in La Liga and lack of financial crisis).

On the same note, it seems Barça have reached an agreement to sign Real Madrid midfielder Isco in the summer. Signing Ronaldo, though, will be easier as it is not a direct move.

The 36-year-old is reportedly looking for a move out of Old Trafford, and singing for a direct rival of a formal club wouldn’t be an entirely alien concept for Ronaldo, seeing as he was allegedly determined to sign for Manchester City after his departure from Juventus.

Much like Pep Guardiola, however, Xavi has also rejected the possibility of signing the striker, citing sporting reasons.

It is clear that the project is long term; the aim is to build a team for the future much like Pep Guardiola instituted with La Masia in his reign as coach.

At 36, Ronaldo is unlikely to provide the longevity that the Spaniard demands in his project, and, as such, his signing makes little sporting sense, especially considering the logistical gerrymandering that seems to be necessary every time the club hope to register a player.

Instead, the former player much prefers the signing of Erling Haaland (easier said than done, of course), who is reportedly looking for a move to Spain over England, and could form a lethal attacking partnership alongside Ansu Fati and recent signing Ferran Torres.

An absolute shock in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo playing for la Blaugrana is off the cards, though.