Xavi sees 17-year-old Barcelona academy ace as the natural substitute for Busquets

For years, Barcelona have had the luxury of relying on one of the greatest midfielders ever in the form of Sergio Busquets. The former Spanish international was a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for the Catalans for 15 years, but will no longer be a part of the team.

Indeed, Busquets left Barça this summer upon the expiry of his contract and has signed for Inter Miami, where he is reunited with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. The veteran midfielder’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the Catalans’ midfield unit.

Barcelona have roped in Oriol Romeu as a replacement for the departed captain, but he would only be a short-term fix, considering that the former La Masia ace will turn 32 later this year.

As such, Xavi is already looking at possible long-term solutions for the Busquets role and seems to have fallen onto a solution in the form of academy ace Pau Prim.

Indeed, as per SPORT, Xavi sees the 17-year-old La Masia product as the natural long-term substitute for Busquets and has been closely monitoring his development for some time now.

Pau Prim is regarded as one of the most talented young prospects coming through the ranks at the club’s academy and has been earmarked as a possible candidate to replace Busquets at the base of the midfield in the long run.

The youngster has trained under Xavi’s commands with the Blaugrana first team on several occasions and even made his unofficial debut in the friendly encounter against Vissel Kobe last month.

The 17-year-old has not been included in the squad for the pre-season tour of the USA. But Xavi intends to keep monitoring his development closely and believes that the teenage prospect has everything needed to forge a career for himself at Barcelona once he gains a bit more experience and maturity.